Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth–5): Curriculum Intent & Progression Document

Home › EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy › Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth–5): Curriculum Intent & Progression (Overview)

Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth–5) | Curriculum Intent & Progression Document

A cohesive, high-level overview of learning and development from birth to the end of the EYFS.

Download Document Here:

Document Updated: January 2026

Recommended next read Selection

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

Looking for age-specific pathway documents?

Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

Stay informed, get expert advice, and find inspiration from our collection of articles and useful external resources, tailored specifically for EYFS practitioners. We regularly publish in-depth articles to support you with current best practices, regulatory changes, and fresh ideas.

Are you looking for a specific resource or document for your provision?

Use our 🔍 SEARCH Bar located at the top of every page.

Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.

Updated: January 2026

Childminder Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents

Home › EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy › Whole-Setting Curriculum & Pedagogy › Childminder Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents (Overview)

Childminder Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents

A complete, professionally written set of core EYFS policies tailored specifically for childminder settings.

Download Childminder Policy Documents Here:

• 1. Safeguarding & Child Protection ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 2. Observation, Assessment & Planning ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 3. Curriculum & Pedagogy ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 4. Behaviour, Relationships & Emotional Wellbeing ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 5. Inclusion, Equality & SEND ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 6. Health, Safety & Risk Assessment ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 7. Data Protection & GDPR ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 8. Staffing, Ratios & Key Person ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 9. Physical Intervention & Positive Handling ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 10. Intimate Care ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 11. Supervision of Children ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 12. Mobile Phones, Cameras & Social Media ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 13. Medication & Medical Conditions ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 14. Food, Drink & Allergy Management ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 15. Complaints Procedure ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 16. Accident, Incident & First Aid ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 17. Missing Child / Uncollected Child ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 18. Outings & Trips ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 19. Whistleblowing ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 20. Staff Conduct, Safer Recruitment & Induction ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 21. Fire Safety & Emergency Evacuation ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 22. Visitors & Security ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

The pack also includes:

• Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• Childminder Setting Policy Folder Contents List ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

Documents Updated: January 2026

Disclaimer Notice

These policies are provided as professionally written guidance to support Childminder settings in meeting their statutory duties and embedding high-quality practice in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework and associated legislation.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and alignment with current requirements at the time of publication, this Policies Pack is intended to be adopted, adapted and implemented in accordance with each setting’s specific context, local authority guidance and regulatory requirements.

It remains the responsibility of the setting’s registered provider, leadership team and designated safeguarding leads to:

• Ensure policies reflect their individual setting, cohort and operational arrangements

• Keep policies up to date with changes to legislation, statutory guidance and local procedures

• Implement policies consistently through staff training, supervision and monitoring

These documents are designed to support professional judgement, not replace statutory guidance, legal advice, or the requirements of regulatory bodies such as Ofsted, local safeguarding partnerships or health authorities.

By using this Policies Pack, settings acknowledge that policies must be reviewed regularly and contextualised to ensure they remain accurate, effective and compliant.

Recommended next read Selection

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

Looking for age-specific pathway documents?

Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

Stay informed, get expert advice, and find inspiration from our collection of articles and useful external resources, tailored specifically for EYFS practitioners. We regularly publish in-depth articles to support you with current best practices, regulatory changes, and fresh ideas.

Are you looking for a specific resource or document for your provision?

Use our 🔍 SEARCH Bar located at the top of every page.

Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.

Updated: January 2026

EYFS Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents

Home › EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy › EYFS Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents (Overview)

EYFS Setting Policies Pack | Birth-5 Documents

A complete, professionally written set of core EYFS policies supporting safe, compliant and high-quality early years practice.

Download EYFS Setting Policy Documents Here:

• 1. Safeguarding & Child Protection ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 2. Observation, Assessment & Planning ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 3. Curriculum & Pedagogy ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 4. Behaviour, Relationships & Emotional Wellbeing ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 5. Inclusion, Equality & SEND ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 6. Health, Safety & Risk Assessment ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 7. Data Protection & GDPR ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 8. Staffing, Ratios & Key Person ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 9. Physical Intervention & Positive Handling ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 10. Intimate Care ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 11. Supervision of Children ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 12. Mobile Phones, Cameras & Social Media ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 13. Medication & Medical Conditions ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 14. Food, Drink & Allergy Management ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 15. Complaints Procedure ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 16. Accident, Incident & First Aid ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 17. Missing Child / Uncollected Child ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 18. Outings & Trips ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 19. Whistleblowing ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 20. Staff Conduct, Safer Recruitment & Induction ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 21. Fire Safety & Emergency Evacuation ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• 22. Visitors & Security ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

The pack also includes:

• Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

• EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List ⋙ DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

Documents Updated: January 2026

Disclaimer Notice

These policies are provided as professionally written guidance to support Early Years settings in meeting their statutory duties and embedding high-quality practice in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework and associated legislation.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and alignment with current requirements at the time of publication, this Policies Pack is intended to be adopted, adapted and implemented in accordance with each setting’s specific context, local authority guidance and regulatory requirements.

It remains the responsibility of the setting’s registered provider, leadership team and designated safeguarding leads to:

• Ensure policies reflect their individual setting, cohort and operational arrangements

• Keep policies up to date with changes to legislation, statutory guidance and local procedures

• Implement policies consistently through staff training, supervision and monitoring

These documents are designed to support professional judgement, not replace statutory guidance, legal advice, or the requirements of regulatory bodies such as Ofsted, local safeguarding partnerships or health authorities.

By using this Policies Pack, settings acknowledge that policies must be reviewed regularly and contextualised to ensure they remain accurate, effective and compliant.

Recommended next read Selection

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

Looking for age-specific pathway documents?

Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

Stay informed, get expert advice, and find inspiration from our collection of articles and useful external resources, tailored specifically for EYFS practitioners. We regularly publish in-depth articles to support you with current best practices, regulatory changes, and fresh ideas.

Are you looking for a specific resource or document for your provision?

Use our 🔍 SEARCH Bar located at the top of every page.

Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.

Updated: January 2026

EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries | Birth to 5 Document

Home › EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy › EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries | Birth-5 Document (Overview)

Scroll down to read this web document or download files here: DOCX 📝 | PDF 📄

EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

Birth to 5

Babies (0–18 Months)

Inspection-Facing Practice Summary

In our baby rooms, care is the curriculum.

For babies aged 0–18 months, learning is rooted in:

• secure attachments

• responsive care

• sensory and physical exploration

• predictable routines

Babies learn through relationships, movement and repeated experiences.
There are no planned activities or learning outcomes for babies.

Our curriculum intent at this stage describes:

• how we design calm, sensory-rich environments

• how adults interact, respond and co-regulate

• how routines support communication and wellbeing

Implementation is seen in:

• consistent key-person relationships

• attuned adult interaction

• narration, imitation and shared attention

Impact is seen through:

• babies’ wellbeing and engagement

• growing curiosity and movement

• early communication signals

• secure, trusting relationships

We use observation to understand each baby and respond sensitively.
Assessment is narrative, not data-driven.

This approach aligns fully with the EYFS statutory framework and Development Matters guidance for babies.

Toddlers (18–36 Months)

Inspection-Facing Practice Summary

In our toddler rooms, play, schemas and relationships drive learning.

Toddlers learn through:

• movement and exploration

• repetition and schematic play

• emerging independence

• language developed through interaction

Our curriculum intent supports adult understanding, not targets for children.

It helps practitioners design environments and interactions that respond to:

• children’s interests

• schemas

• communication and emotional needs

Adults:

• observe before intervening

• follow children’s lead in play

• model language and support regulation

• use brief, playful adult-led moments when appropriate

Themes or projects are used flexibly as shared contexts and never override child-led exploration.

Impact is seen in:

• increased confidence and independence

• longer periods of engagement

• growing vocabulary and expressive communication

Assessment remains observation-led and proportionate, including the statutory progress check at age two.

This ensures toddlers are not rushed and are supported at the right developmental pace.

Preschool (3–4 Years)

Inspection-Facing Practice Summary

In Preschool, we balance play-based learning with purposeful adult input.

Children aged 3–4 learn best through:

• imaginative play

• shared experiences

• rich language interactions

• early skill-building in context

Our curriculum uses themes to organise learning experiences, while maintaining:

• strong continuous provision

• responsive adult interaction

• short, focused adult-led sessions

Adult-led teaching supports:

• early phonological awareness

• mathematical understanding

• fine-motor development

• early writing for purpose

Planning is led by observation and children’s interests, not by fixed outcomes.

Impact is seen through:

• richer language and play narratives

• developing reasoning and problem-solving

• increasing independence and collaboration

Assessment is non-statutory, proportionate and focused on understanding children, not tracking data.

This phase prepares children developmentally, not academically, for Reception.

Reception (4–5 Years)

Inspection-Facing Practice Summary

Reception is a distinct curriculum year with statutory expectations.

In Reception, we deliver the EYFS curriculum through:

• high-quality adult-led teaching

• stable, well-resourced continuous provision

• purposeful application of learning through play

We maintain a strong balance between:

• child-initiated learning

• adult-guided interaction

• systematic teaching (phonics, maths, writing)

Our curriculum intent is clearly sequenced and aligned with:

• the EYFS statutory framework

• Development Matters

• EYFSP expectations

Themes are optional and used only where they support application — they do not drive the curriculum.

Observation, assessment and planning form a continuous cycle, ensuring teaching responds to children’s needs.

Impact is seen in:

• confident application of taught skills

• independence and reflective talk

• readiness for the transition into Year 1

Reception remains play-based and inclusive, without becoming Year 1.

EYFS as a Whole

Inspection-Facing Summary Statement

Across birth to 5, our EYFS curriculum is:

• developmentally sequenced

• play-based

• inclusive

• coherent

Each age phase is distinct, but connected through:

• strong relationships

• observation-led practice

• high-quality environments

• thoughtful adult interaction

Children are never rushed.

Expectations increase only when developmentally appropriate.

This ensures children experience a secure, confident and well-supported journey through the EYFS, fully aligned with statutory guidance and best practice.

Document Updated: January 2026

Recommended next read Selection

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

Looking for age-specific pathway documents?

Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

Stay informed, get expert advice, and find inspiration from our collection of articles and useful external resources, tailored specifically for EYFS practitioners. We regularly publish in-depth articles to support you with current best practices, regulatory changes, and fresh ideas.

Are you looking for a specific resource or document for your provision?

Use our 🔍 SEARCH Bar located at the top of every page.

Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.

Updated: January 2026