Birth to 5 Matters:
Non-statutory guidance for the
Early Years Foundation Stage
From the Early Years Coalition
www.birthto5matters.org.uk
,From the Early Years Coalition:
Early
Years
Alliance
© Early Education 2021
The right of Early Education to be identified as the author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.
ISBN- 978-0-904187-82-3
This guidance is available online at www.birthto5matters.org.uk. It may be downloaded and printed for the
use of individual practitioners, settings and schools. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or
otherwise for commercial use or sale without the express permission of the publishers.
Published on behalf of the Early Years Coalition by: Early Education, 2 Victoria Square, St Albans, AL1 3TF
T: 01727 884925 E:
www.early-education.org.uk
Charity registered in England and Wales no. 313082
Charity registered in Scotland no. SC039472
A company limited by guarantee and registered in England no. 395548.
2 Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction
,Contents
Preface 5
Introduction 6
Foundations of highest quality provision for children 8
• Principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage 8
• Promoting voice and inclusion 9
• Play 10
• Care 12
• Quality improvement and leadership 14
• Transitions 16
A Unique Child 18
• Child development 18
• Self-regulation 20
• Learners for life: Characteristics of Effective Learning 22
• Inclusive practice and equalities 24
Positive Relationships 28
• Parents as partners 28
• Attachment and the role of the key person 30
• Supporting development and learning 32
Enabling Environments 34
• Learning environment 34
• The wider context 36
Learning and Development 38
• Observation, assessment and planning 38
• Overview of Characteristics of Effective Learning and Areas of Learning and Development 42
• Using Birth to 5 Matters to support development and learning 49
• Characteristics of Effective Learning 52
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development 55
• Communication and Language 66
• Physical Development 76
• Literacy 87
• Mathematics 94
• Understanding the World 105
• Expressive Arts and Design 113
Glossary 118
Acknowledgements 122
Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction 3
, The Early Years Coalition
British Early Childhood Education Research Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early
Association (BECERA) Years Professional Association (SEFDEY)
www.becera.org.uk www.sefdey.com
Early Childhood Forum (ECF) Sightlines Initiative
earlychildhoodforum.org www.sightlines-initiative.com
Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship
(ECSDN) www.steinerwaldorf.org
www.ecsdn.org
TACTYC: The Association for Professional
Early Education (The British Association for Development in Early Years
Early Childhood Education) tactyc.org.uk
www.early-education.org.uk
Early Years Alliance
www.eyalliance.org.uk
The Froebel Trust
www.froebel.org.uk
Keeping Early Years Unique (KEYU)
www.keyu.co.uk
LGBTQIA Early Years
lgbtqearlyyears.org
Montessori St Nicholas
montessori-group.com
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
www.ndna.org.uk
National Education Union (NEU)
neu.org.uk
OMEP UK
www.omep.org.uk
What do you like about your early years setting?
He just smiles but when
he realises we’re going
to nursery he often
signs “friends”.
Idris, 2 and a bit
4 Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction
Non-statutory guidance for the
Early Years Foundation Stage
From the Early Years Coalition
www.birthto5matters.org.uk
,From the Early Years Coalition:
Early
Years
Alliance
© Early Education 2021
The right of Early Education to be identified as the author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.
ISBN- 978-0-904187-82-3
This guidance is available online at www.birthto5matters.org.uk. It may be downloaded and printed for the
use of individual practitioners, settings and schools. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or
otherwise for commercial use or sale without the express permission of the publishers.
Published on behalf of the Early Years Coalition by: Early Education, 2 Victoria Square, St Albans, AL1 3TF
T: 01727 884925 E:
www.early-education.org.uk
Charity registered in England and Wales no. 313082
Charity registered in Scotland no. SC039472
A company limited by guarantee and registered in England no. 395548.
2 Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction
,Contents
Preface 5
Introduction 6
Foundations of highest quality provision for children 8
• Principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage 8
• Promoting voice and inclusion 9
• Play 10
• Care 12
• Quality improvement and leadership 14
• Transitions 16
A Unique Child 18
• Child development 18
• Self-regulation 20
• Learners for life: Characteristics of Effective Learning 22
• Inclusive practice and equalities 24
Positive Relationships 28
• Parents as partners 28
• Attachment and the role of the key person 30
• Supporting development and learning 32
Enabling Environments 34
• Learning environment 34
• The wider context 36
Learning and Development 38
• Observation, assessment and planning 38
• Overview of Characteristics of Effective Learning and Areas of Learning and Development 42
• Using Birth to 5 Matters to support development and learning 49
• Characteristics of Effective Learning 52
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development 55
• Communication and Language 66
• Physical Development 76
• Literacy 87
• Mathematics 94
• Understanding the World 105
• Expressive Arts and Design 113
Glossary 118
Acknowledgements 122
Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction 3
, The Early Years Coalition
British Early Childhood Education Research Sector Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early
Association (BECERA) Years Professional Association (SEFDEY)
www.becera.org.uk www.sefdey.com
Early Childhood Forum (ECF) Sightlines Initiative
earlychildhoodforum.org www.sightlines-initiative.com
Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship
(ECSDN) www.steinerwaldorf.org
www.ecsdn.org
TACTYC: The Association for Professional
Early Education (The British Association for Development in Early Years
Early Childhood Education) tactyc.org.uk
www.early-education.org.uk
Early Years Alliance
www.eyalliance.org.uk
The Froebel Trust
www.froebel.org.uk
Keeping Early Years Unique (KEYU)
www.keyu.co.uk
LGBTQIA Early Years
lgbtqearlyyears.org
Montessori St Nicholas
montessori-group.com
National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
www.ndna.org.uk
National Education Union (NEU)
neu.org.uk
OMEP UK
www.omep.org.uk
What do you like about your early years setting?
He just smiles but when
he realises we’re going
to nursery he often
signs “friends”.
Idris, 2 and a bit
4 Birth to 5 Matters - Introduction
