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EYFS Framework Resources | Birth to 5 Curriculum & Pedagogy Guidance, Planning, Assessment & Continuous Provision

Supporting childminders, nurseries, preschools, Reception classes and early years professionals with high-quality EYFS curriculum guidance, pedagogy documents, printable resources, planning tools, continuous provision support and developmentally appropriate practice from birth to 5.

Our EYFS Curriculum, Pedagogy & Framework resources bring together practical printable materials, professional guidance documents and whole-setting support designed to help practitioners build strong, play-based, relationship-led practice rooted in current UK EYFS best practice.

Whether you are developing a baby room curriculum, strengthening toddler provision, refining preschool planning, protecting play-based Reception practice or supporting mixed-age childminding, this page provides a wide range of guidance and resources to support confident, reflective and inspection-ready practice.

Across this page you will find:

  • EYFS curriculum and pedagogy guidance

  • Continuous provision resources and environment support

  • Observation, assessment and planning tools

  • SEND and inclusion guidance

  • Parent partnership and transition resources

  • Safeguarding and welfare support materials

  • Reception curriculum and EYFSP guidance

  • Childminder-specific EYFS resources

  • Printable EYFS activities, templates and displays

  • Whole-setting birth-to-5 curriculum coherence documents

 
 

Our approach promotes:

  • Developmentally appropriate practice

  • Play-based learning

  • Relationship-led pedagogy

  • Observation-led planning

  • Responsive adult interaction

  • Emotional wellbeing and regulation

  • Strong communication and language development

  • Inclusive, strengths-based practice

  • Meaningful curriculum progression from birth to 5

 
 

Free EYFS Resources & Statutory Guidance

Explore a range of free EYFS resources, orienting guidance documents and statutory framework materials designed to support practitioners, leaders and childminders across birth to 5 provision.

This section includes free sample curriculum and pedagogy documents, statutory framework downloads, Development Matters materials, observation guidance and printable EYFS support resources.

Please use our accordion below to view text links to our free resources or view a featured selection within the carousel.

Featured Free EYFS Resources & Guidance

 
  • If you are not a member already, become a ‘Free Access’ member here. This will give you access to resources within the ‘Free Sample Resources’ sections at the top of most topic provision pages plus all ‘Special Dates Calendars’.

    Find out more about all of our membership options here.

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EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathways

Our Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathways support coherent, developmentally appropriate practice across birth to 5. Each pathway has been carefully designed around child development, high-quality interaction, enabling environments and practical implementation within real EYFS settings.

These pathways are designed to support:

  • Childminders

  • Nurseries

  • Preschool settings

  • Reception classes

  • Mixed-age provision

  • EYFS leaders and managers


Babies (Birth–18 Months)

Relationship-Led, Care-Centred Baby Practice

Our Baby Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathway supports emotionally secure, responsive baby room practice where routines, care, interaction and sensory experience form the curriculum.

 

Key Areas Include:

  • Baby pedagogy and responsive caregiving

  • Care routines as learning opportunities

  • Observation-led practice

  • Sensory exploration and communication

  • Emotional regulation and attachment

  • Baby room environments and provision

  • Parent partnership and transition support

  • SEND and early identification

 
  • Welcome to the Baby Room

    • Baby Pedagogy Position Statement

    • Care as Curriculum

    • How Our Baby Room Practice Works

    Baby Development & Observation

    • Baby Curriculum Maps

    • Developmental Signals & Support

    • In-the-Moment Narrative Observations

    • Observation Prompt Cards

    Baby Room Continuous Provision

    • Baby Room Environment Guide

    • Continuous Provision Maps

    • Baby Room Labelling Packs

    Routines, Emotional Wellbeing & Communication

    • Daily Routines as Learning Opportunities

    • Sleep Routine Profiles

    • Supporting Emotional Regulation

    • Supporting Early Communication

    Transition & Parent Partnership

    • Daily Diary Templates

    • Baby Welcome & Settling-In Pack

    • Supporting Babies Through Change

    • Transition to Toddler Room Guidance

 

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Toddlers (18–36 Months)

Sensory-Rich Toddler Practice Grounded in Play & Schemas

Our Toddler Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathway supports relationship-led toddler practice built around schemas, movement, emotional regulation, language development and responsive interaction.

 

Key Areas Include:

  • Schema-led learning

  • In-the-moment planning

  • Continuous provision

  • Outdoor learning

  • Emotional regulation

  • Toddler communication and interaction

  • SEND and inclusion strategies

  • Parent partnership and transitions

 
  • Toddler Pedagogy & Curriculum

    • Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement

    • Toddler Curriculum Overview

    • The Role of Schemas in Toddler Practice

    • Curriculum Intent in Toddler Rooms

    Observation & Responsive Planning

    • In-the-Moment Planning Prompt Sheets

    • Narrative Observation Templates

    • Schema Observation & Analysis

    • Focused Observation Templates

    Continuous Provision & Outdoor Learning

    • Continuous Provision Setup Guides

    • Outdoor Continuous Provision Pack

    • Provision Rotation Toolkit

    • Nature-Based Learning & Schema Guide

    Language, Interaction & Emotional Development

    • Five Sentence Stems for Toddler Practitioners

    • Language-First Approaches

    • Emotional Regulation Through Language

    • Toddler Behaviour & Regulation Guidance

    Parent Partnership & Transitions

    • Toddler to Preschool Transition Pack

    • Parent Information Pages

    • Supporting Speech & Language at Home

    • Why We Learn Outdoors in All Weathers

 

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Preschool (3–4 Years)

Broad, Play-Based Preschool Curriculum with Purposeful Adult Input

Our Preschool Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathway supports broad, engaging, play-based preschool practice with carefully balanced continuous provision, themes and adult-led teaching.

 

Key Areas Include:

  • Preschool curriculum progression

  • Theme-led planning

  • Continuous provision

  • Early phonics and maths

  • Fine motor and early writing

  • Observation and assessment

  • Transition to Reception

  • Parent partnership

 
  • Preschool Curriculum & Pedagogy

    • Preschool Curriculum Overview

    • Preschool Pedagogy Position Statement

    • Curriculum Overview: How Themes Fit Together

    • What Child-Led Does Not Mean

    Curriculum Progression & Themes

    • Preschool Curriculum Map

    • Skills Progression Ladders

    • Core Preschool Themes

    • Optional Mini-Themes

    Continuous Provision

    • Universal Continuous Provision Packs

    • Provision Audit Packs

    • Outdoor Provision Core Zones

    • Continuous Provision FAQs

    Adult-Led Teaching

    • Phonics & Early Reading Pack

    • Maths Small Group Session Banks

    • Fine Motor & Mark Making Sessions

    • Early Writing Purpose Sessions

    Observation & Assessment

    • OAP Toolkit

    • Progress Reviews

    • Preschool Report Packs

    • Strength-Based Reporting Guidance

    Transition & Parent Partnership

    • Preschool Transition to Reception Pack

    • Child Passports

    • Parent Curriculum Documents

    • Home & Setting Communication

 

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Reception (4–5 Years)

Developmentally Appropriate Reception Practice

Our Reception Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathway supports high-quality Reception practice that protects play, continuous provision and child development while building curriculum progression and school readiness.

 

Key Areas Include:

  • Reception curriculum sequencing

  • Continuous provision

  • Adult-led teaching

  • Phonics and maths

  • EYFSP support

  • SEND and inclusion

  • Leadership and inspection readiness

  • Transition into Year 1

  • Reception Curriculum & Progression

    • Reception Curriculum Overview & Rationale

    • Reception Progression Maps

    • Reception Curriculum Phase Framework

    • Why Themes Are Optional in Reception

    Continuous Provision

    • Universal Continuous Provision Packs

    • Outdoor Continuous Provision

    • Adult-Guided Learning in Provision

    • Reception Environment Labelling Packs

    Adult-Led Teaching

    • Reception Phonics Guidance

    • Reception Maths Teaching Framework

    • Writing Mini Sessions

    • Fine Motor Foundations for Writing

    Observation, Assessment & EYFSP

    • Reception OAP Cycle Guidance

    • Characteristics of Effective Learning

    • EYFSP Toolkit

    • Moderation Guidance

    SEND, Leadership & Inspection

    • SEND & Inclusion Toolkit

    • APDR Templates

    • Leadership & Inspection Readiness Pack

    • Ofsted Conversation Prompts

    Parent Partnership & Transition

    • Reception Parent Partnership Pack

    • Reception to Year 1 Transition Pack

 

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Childminder EYFS Pathway (Birth–5 Mixed Age)

Mixed-Age EYFS Practice for Childminders

Our Childminder Curriculum & Pedagogy Pathway has been specifically designed for home-based, mixed-age provision and solo working practice.

 

Key Areas Include:

  • Mixed-age curriculum guidance

  • Low-paperwork planning

  • Continuous provision in home environments

  • Inspection confidence

  • Parent communication

  • Outdoor and community learning

  • Progression and SEND support

 
  • Childminder Pedagogy & Curriculum

    • Childminder Pedagogy Position Statement

    • The EYFS Curriculum in Mixed-Age Care

    • Continuous Provision in Childminding Settings

    Planning & Assessment

    • Planning Without Paperwork Overload

    • In-the-Moment Planning Prompts

    • Assessment & Progression in Mixed-Age Care

    Inspection & Leadership Support

    • Inspection Confidence for Childminders

    • EYFS Language for Inspection Conversations

    • Safeguarding & Welfare Overview

    Parent Partnership & Communication

    • Parent Communication Templates

    • Explaining EYFS to Families

    • Transition Records & Progress Summaries

    Childminder Policies

    • Childminder Policies Pack

    • Policy Sign-Off Documents

    • Policy Folder Guidance

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Whole-Setting Birth–5 Guidance

EYFS Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

This section brings together our whole-setting curriculum and pedagogy guidance designed to support coherent, connected practice across birth to 5 provision.

These documents support:

  • Whole-setting curriculum thinking

  • Leadership and staff alignment

  • Shared pedagogical language

  • Inspection readiness

  • Birth-to-5 progression

  • Consistency across rooms and phases

Featured Whole-Setting Documents

EYFS Principles, Pedagogy & Ethos Displays

Below you will find Ethos Building Posters & Displays, including Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning’, ‘Overarching Principles and Seven Key Features of Effective Practice

Includes:

  • Teaching & Learning Characteristics Posters

  • Overarching Principles Displays

  • Seven Key Features of Effective Practice

  • Development Matters Quote Posters

 

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Early Years Schemas & Responsive Provision

Understanding Schemas in Early Years Practice

Schemas are repeated patterns of behaviour that help children explore ideas, movement, relationships and thinking. Our schema guidance supports practitioners in recognising and responding to children’s schematic play through responsive provision and observation-led practice.

Featured Schema Resources

 

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Observation, Assessment & Planning

Observation-Led, Responsive EYFS Practice

Our observation, assessment and planning resources support meaningful, proportionate practice rooted in child development, interaction and responsive provision.

Included on the following pages:

  • OAP cycle guidance

  • Observation templates

  • In-the-moment planning

  • Progress reviews

  • EYFSP support

  • Planning templates

  • Assessment guidance

  • Strength-based reporting

  • Development Matters Support Examples

  • Observation Guidance

Visit the relevant pages using the buttons below:

Featured OAP Cycle Resources

Additional Development Matters Support Examples & Observation Guidance

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Continuous Provision & Learning Environments

Enabling Environments Across Birth to 5

Continuous provision forms the foundation of high-quality EYFS practice. Explore guidance and practical resources designed to support rich, purposeful and developmentally appropriate learning environments.

Includes:

  • Baby room environments

  • Toddler provision

  • Preschool provision

  • Reception provision

  • Outdoor learning

  • Provision audits

  • Resourcing guidance

  • Environment setup support

Featured Resources

Scroll through using arrows to browse resources for all EYFS age groups: Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception (plus Childminder mixed-age)

Challenge Area Display & Activity Invitation Packs

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Adult-Led Teaching, Interaction & Communication

High-Quality Interaction & Purposeful Adult-Led Teaching

Explore guidance supporting intentional adult interaction, communication, vocabulary development and developmentally appropriate adult-led teaching across EYFS provision.

Includes:

  • Phonics

  • Early maths

  • Communication and language

  • Story and book talk

  • Questioning and vocabulary

  • Emotional regulation through language

  • Adult-guided learning

Adult Role Support & Guidance

Adult-Led Activity Invitation Packs & Banks

Scroll through using arrows to browse resources for all appropriate EYFS age groups: Toddler, Preschool & Reception

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SEND, Inclusion, Safeguarding & Wellbeing

High-quality EYFS practice supports children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, safety, communication and inclusion through responsive relationships, enabling environments and developmentally appropriate support.

SEND, Safeguarding & Welfare

Our SEND, safeguarding and inclusion resources support practitioners in creating welcoming, emotionally secure and developmentally appropriate environments for all children.

Includes:

  • SEND support

  • Inclusive environments

  • Visual communication

  • Safeguarding templates & checklists

  • DSL guidance

  • Risk-benefit support

  • Safer recruitment

  • Child absence tracking

  • Child records

Featured Resources

Scroll through using arrows to browse our SEND & Inclusion Toolkits for all EYFS age groups: Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception (plus Childminder mixed-age)

Additional Safeguarding Resources

Safeguarding Checklists | Child Record Forms | DSL Guidance | Risk-Benefit Assessments | Child Absence Tracking

Further SEND, Inclusion & Welfare Support

Find additional resources regarding dual-language support, visual communication, SEND & inclusion on the following pages:

Health, Wellbeing & Self-Care

healthy lifestyles | physical wellbeing | self-care | health education


Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health & Regulation

Please visit the pages below for relationship-led practice support regarding co-regulation, emotional development, behaviour as communication & wellbeing-first pedagogy. The following pages include resources for:

  • Mental Health

  • Emotions & Feelings

  • Mindfulness

  • Emotional regulation

  • Feelings activities

  • Calm spaces

  • Self-regulation

 

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Parent Partnership & Transitions

Supporting Strong Relationships Between Home & Setting

Positive partnerships with families are central to effective EYFS practice. Explore resources designed to support communication, transitions and shared understanding between practitioners and parents.

Includes:

  • Settling-in support

  • Home-setting communication

  • Transition packs

  • Child passports

  • Reception readiness

  • Parent information leaflets

  • Daily diaries

Featured Resources

Scroll through using arrows to browse our featured Parent Partnership & Transition for all EYFS age groups: Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception (plus Childminder mixed-age)

Further Parent Partnership & Transitions Support

Find additional resources regarding emotional wellbeing, mental health, SEND & inclusion on the following pages:

 
 
 

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Leadership & Inspection Readiness

Supporting Reflective, Inspection-Ready EYFS Leadership

Our leadership resources support curriculum thinking, inspection confidence and coherent whole-setting practice.

Includes:

  • Inspection-facing summaries

  • Ofsted conversation prompts

  • Inspection readiness packs

  • Leadership support documents

Featured Resources

Scroll through using arrows to browse our featured Leadership & Inspection Readiness for all EYFS age groups: Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception (plus Childminder mixed-age)

You may also wish to refer to our ‘Whole-Setting Birth-5 Guidance’ Section

 

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Areas of Learning & Development

Explore EYFS Areas of Learning

Browse our EYFS resources organised by the seven areas of learning and development.

Prime Areas

  • Communication & Language

  • Personal, Social & Emotional Development

  • Physical Development

Specific Areas

  • Literacy

  • Mathematics

  • Understanding the World

  • Expressive Arts & Design

 

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EYFS Policies & Documentation

EYFS Policies, Safeguarding & Record Keeping

Explore practical EYFS documentation, safeguarding records, policy templates and setting paperwork designed to support compliant, organised and reflective practice.

Includes:

  • EYFS setting policies

  • Childminder policies

  • Safeguarding forms

  • Child records

  • Recruitment documents

  • Policy sign-off templates

Featured Resources

Scroll through using arrows to browse our featured EYFS Policies & Documentation for all EYFS age groups: Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception (plus Childminder mixed-age)

 
 
 

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Additional EYFS Printable Resources

Printable EYFS Activities, Displays & Support Resources

Alongside our curriculum and pedagogy guidance, we also offer a large collection of practical printable EYFS resources designed to support everyday provision, continuous provision areas and child-led learning.

Explore Additional Resource Areas

 

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For information regarding the changes from September 2025, please refer to the following articles:

Each article linked below has been written with the specific provider type in mind and highlights new and adapted resources created by our Little Owls Resources team to help you with this transition.

 

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