Early years toolkit
Useful resources to help develop your early years setting.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Resources for early years providers
- Family Information Service (FIS) information
- GOV UK information for schools
- GOV UK information for EY settings
- Early Years Safeguarding Policy Amendment during the Coronavirus Outbreak June 2020 (pdf format, 167Kb)
Resources for schools
Remote learning
- Best evidence on supporting students to learn remotely
- Activities from the kitchen cupboards (pdf format, 159Kb)
- Ofsted Guidance - What's working well in remote education
- Review your Remote Education - Schools
- National Literacy Trust Support for multilingual families at home Booklet
- GOV.UK - Guidance on helping children aged 2 to 4 to learn at home during coronavirus
- Hungry Little Minds - Activities for children from birth to 5
- BBC Bite Size Early Years Resources for Learning at Home
- Oak Academy Foundation Stage resources
- Kingfisher Online Safety advice for parents
- NSPCC Undertaking Remote Teaching Safely
- Home learning - links to non-digital learning activities (pdf format, 308Kb)
- Phase One phonics games play at home for parents (pdf format, 227Kb)
Leadership and management
Key documents
- Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (docx format, 131Kb)
- Early Education Funding Terms and Conditions (600KB)
- EYFS Statutory Framework 2021
- Development Matters (pdf format, 638Kb)
- What to expect when guide for parents
- EYFS Musts Audit (docx format, 156Kb)
- Community around the setting (pdf format. 856Kb)
- Newsletters
- OSCB newsletters and bulletins
- OTSA Early Years Teaching Schools newsletter
Strategic Leadership of EYFS – Guidance for Headteachers
- Guidance for strategic leadership (pdf format, 500Kb)
- EYFS Audit MUSTs (docx format, 156Kb)
- Adult-led staff practice observation template (docx format, 969Kb)
- Child-led staff practice observation template (docx format, 967Kb)
- EYFS data analysis for HTs (docx format, 99Kb)
- EYFS Learning Walk template (docx format, 92Kb)
- Governor monitoring of Early Years Foundation Stage (docx format, 967Kb)
- Guidance for developing EYFS action plan (docx format, 201Kb)
- Quality interactions observation template (docx format, 971Kb)
- Quality self-assessment for 2-year-olds (docx format, 173Kb)
- Schools Ofsted EY grade descriptor audit Good and Outstanding (docx format, 158Kb)
- Talk friendly learning environment audit (docx format, 131Kb)
Ofsted
- Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills
- How to contact Ofsted and where to find frequently used forms and documents
- Poster for parents
- Ofsted early years compliance
- Education Inspection Handbooks from September 2019
- School inspection: guidance for parents
Business
- Business, financial, and legal aspects of managing early years settings
- Early years business sustainability
- Opening a new day nursery
EYTT Data management tool
Funded two-year-olds
- Information on the two-year-old entitlement for providers
- Quality provision for two-year-olds audit (doc format, 75Kb) A useful self-assessment tool.
Early Years Pupil Premium
The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) gives providers of early education and childcare extra funding to support eligible three and four-year-olds.
Providers are paid a pupil premium at the rate of 53p per hour for three and four-year-old children. Funding can be claimed for eligible children attending up to 15 hours per week (the pupil premium cannot be applied to the extended entitlement hours).
Qualifications
- Early Years teachers' standards (pdf format, 190Kb)
- Link to GOV.UK tools on checking qualifications - early years qualification finder
Data Protection
- Information Commissioner's office and GDPR
- Data protection: privacy notice model documents - GOV.UK
- Findings from ICO advisory visits to nurseries February 2018 (pdf format, 122Kb)
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Data protection toolkit for schools - GOV.UK
EYFS profile and moderation
- EYFS profile: exemplification materials
- 2020 EYFSP Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA)
- Early Years Foundation Stage Profile handbook
- EYFSP Moderation Plan 2020 (pdf format, 712Kb)
- A guide to the descriptors 2019 (pdf format, 462Kb)
Early education funding
Family Information Service
Staff wellbeing
Research and updates
Wellbeing
Narrowing the gap - diminishing difference
Key documents
- Supporting the attainment of disadvantaged pupils briefing for school leaders
- Ofsted: Unknown children – destined for disadvantage?
- Improving the home learning environment
- Metacognition and self-regulated learning
Supportive materials
Children’s learning and development
The home learning environment
- Home learning ideas 1 (pdf format, 40Kb) and 2 (pdf format, 40Kb) and maths and science (pdf format, 40Kb)
- Resources for schools and parents (pdf format, 216Kb)
- Information and internet safety for families (pdf format, 50Kb)
- The home environment (pdf format, 40Kb)
- Working from home tips (pdf format, 280Kb)
- Coronavirus: Advice and wellbeing - supporting children (pdf format, 50Kb)
- Virtual school (VSLAC) - guide to home learning (pdf format, 50Kb)
- 10 wishes for being stuck at home - Creative Star website
- Undertaking remote teaching safely - NSPCC website
- Tiny happy people - Activities for babies, toddlers and children
- Improving the Home Learning Environment
Communication and language
- Dialogic book talk guide (pdf format, 25Kb)
- Dialogic book talk plan (doc format, 26Kb)
- Ideas for parents to support their children with letters and sounds (doc format, 66Kb)
- BRISC Surveillance sheet (docx format, 1.2Mb)
- IDP - Supporting children with speech, language and communication difficulties (pdf format, 1.3Mb)
- IDP - Supporting Children on the Autistic Spectrum (pdf format, 1.2Mb)
- Communication and Interaction Support poster (pdf format, 442Kb)
- Improving the Home Learning Environment
- National Literacy Trust’s website - Words for life
- Talk-friendly learning environment audit (docx format, 126Kb)
Literacy
- Bookstart
- Gateway to writing: The crucial role of the Early Years practitioner (pdf format,114Kb)
- Writing resources: Beyond A4 white paper and pencils! (pdf format, 52Kb)
- Understanding key elements of narrative writing (pdf format, 87Kb)
- Writing booklet, for schools (pdf format, 977Kb)
- Preparing for Literacy EEF Guidance Report
- Preparing for Literacy EEF Poster
- National Literacy Trust’s website - Words for life
Maths
- Maths in the EYFS Enabling Environments (pdf format, 7.1Mb)
- BBO Maths Hub
- GLOW Maths Hub
- NRICH
- Foundation Years Maths resources
Observation, assessment and planning
Play
- 101 outside play ideas (pdf format, 1.4Mb)
- Treasure trove - 101 simple activities and games to be undertaken with a small group children, aged between 3 and 5 (pdf format, 783Kb)
- Promoting high quality play
- Ofsted Teaching and Play in the Early Years: A balancing act?
- NHS - Why play is important (information for parents)
- 50 things to do - National Trust website (pdf format)
- My activity passport
Special educational needs and disability
- SEN support for providers
- Early years SEN toolkit
- The local offer for SEN and Disability (SEND) brings together information about education, health and care services for children and young people from 0 to 25 with SEND.
- Early years guide to the SEND Code of Practice
- Early years guide to SEND code of practice
- SEN Inclusion Funding Guidance (pdf format, 825Kb)
English as an additional language (EAL)
- Supporting children with EAL (pdf format, 231Kb)
- EAL support audit (doc format, 320Kb)
- Guidance for Early Years practitioners on supporting children learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). (pdf format, 457Kb)
- The importance of home languages (pdf format, 68Kb)
- Guidance for Early Years practitioners (pdf format, 1.6Mb)
- Google translate - online text translation
Equality and diversity
- Equality act 2010: guidance
- Getting Started Celebrating Difference and challenging Gender stereotypes in the Early years Foundation Stage
- Creating Inclusive Environments audit (docx format, 377Kb)
- Booklist
- Stonewall - Getting started toolkit (Early years)
- BAME support and toolkit (pdf format, 80KB)
Physical development
- UK physical activity guidelines - GOV.UK
- Infographics on physical activity - GOV.UK
- The best start in life (pdf format, 204Kb)
- Start active Stay Active
- NHS Children's Occupational Therapy Activity Resources
The voice of the child
Children’s safeguarding and welfare
Early Help and LCSS
Online safety
Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety considerations for:
- Managers
- Practitioners
- Thinkuknow
- Safety in schools
- Safety posters
- NSPCC online safety
- Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
- Early years sample social media policy (docx format, 70Kb)
Attendance
- Why good attendance is important (pdf format, 837Kb)
- Parental engagement and attendance (pdf format, 362Kb)
- School Attendance Guidance - GOV.UK
- Attendance poster (pdf format, 300KB)
Safeguarding and child protection
- Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (docx format, 131Kb)
- Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) website
- What to do if you are worried a child is being abused
- Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills
- Simple guidance for staff in education settings on use of social network sites
- NSPCC website
- Female genital mutilation (FGM) Oxford Against Cutting
- FGM online training, through the Virtual College
- NHS guidance FGM
- Designated Officer (LADO) leaflet (pdf format, 114Kb)
- Designated Officer (LADO) poster (pdf format, 90Kb)
- Planning for emergency situations in Early Years settings including Lockdown (pdf format, 222Kb)
- Safeguarding noticeboard (pdf format, 706Kb)
- Updated Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Working together to safeguard children 2018
- Updated Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines
Safer recruitment, induction, and supervision
- Applying for criminal records checks for overseas applicants
- Disqualification under the Childcare act
- Recruiting and Managing Early Years Staff
- DBS Regulated Activity with Children
- Early years and childcare services: EY3 changes to individuals
- Disqualification waiver form for schools
- Barring - making a referral
- Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings
- Personal file checklist (docx format, 22Kb)
Prevent
- British values and prevent duty (pdf format, 292Kb)
- The Prevent Duty: for schools and childcare providers
- Home Office E-Learning training
- Educate Against Hate
- Early education poster - The Prevent Duty (pdf format, 141Kb)
- Early education poster - Fundermental British Values (pdf format, 107Kb)
- Early education poster - Spotting signs (pdf format, 117Kb)
- Early education poster - Radicalisation - Talking to children (pdf format, 114Kb)
Welfare, behaviour and health
- Supporting schools with medical conditions at school
- Guidance on the use of adrenaline auto-injectors in schools
- NHS eye tests for children
- Mental health and behaviour advice for schools
- Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves
- NHS Sun Safety advice
- Toileting and personal care guidance (pdf format, 321Kb)
- Childhood obesity, a plan for action
- Right to Go - Helping schools and settings manage continence problems
- A practical guide for staff on managing cases of infectious diseases in schools and other childcare settings
- Eat Well Guide
- Mental health and wellbeing in schools
- Allergen guidance for industry
- Example Menus for Early Years Settings
- Preventing unintentional injuries: a guide for all staff working with children under 5 years
- Gov.uk health, safety and wellbeing in schools
- First Aid reminder (pdf format, 25Kb)
- Immunisation schedule (pdf format, 250KB)
Neglect
Health and Safety
Schools safeguarding webpages
Information recording, retention and sharing
- Information sharing advice for practitioners
- Record keeping guidance(docx format, 117Kb)
- NSPCC child protection records retention and storage guidelines
Policies
School readiness
Oxfordshire Early Years team adopts UNICEF’s description of the three elements of school readiness:
- Children’s readiness for school
- Families and communities’ readiness for school
- Settings’ and schools’ readiness for children.
Families and communities readiness for school
- Being school ready
- Starting school together
- What to expect, when?
- Road to school (pdf format, 1.2Mb)
- Starting school guide (pdf format, 840Kb)
- Families school readiness booklet (pdf format, 736Kb)
- Book list (pdf format, 411Kb)
- The Book Trust 100 best children's books
This is a list of the 100 best books for children from the last 100 years: the ultimate booklist to read before you're 14.
Settings and schools readiness for children
- School readiness booklet (pdf format, 742Kb)
- Being school ready
- Starting school together
- Why good attendance is important (pdf format, 837Kb)
- Parental engagement and attendance (pdf format, 362Kb)
- Transition pack - Smooth transitions in the Early Years (pdf format, 853Kb)
- Book list (pdf format, 411Kb)
- Learning together at home leaflet (pdf format, 1Mb)
- Home learning environment (pdf format, 1Mb)
'Home Matters' guidance for schools, nurseries, local authorities and public health partners on making the most of the home learning environment. - Undertaking remote teaching safely
- Good attendance poster (pdf format, 584Kb)
- Working with parents to support learning
- Improving the home learning environment
- Early years school readiness contract agreement (pdf format)
Research and information
- School readiness and transitions - UNICEF (pdf format, 1.1Mb)
- Are you ready? (pdf format, 556Kb)
- Critical days (pdf format, 3Mb)
Links to other professionals and documents
SEND
- SEN support for providers
- Early Years SEN toolkit
- Special Educational Needs and Disability: The Local Offer
Health visiting
The Early Years team have developed a comprehensive toolkit of resources to support busy leaders and practitioners in early years settings and schools. The toolkit can be accessed via our dedicated website on an annual subscription basis.