Reasonable Adjustments | EYFS

EYFS definition

Reasonable adjustments are changes providers must make under equality law to prevent a disabled child facing a substantial disadvantage compared with children who are not disabled. In EYFS settings, this can involve changes to routines or communication, or additional equipment and support.

Who does the duty concern?

The Equality Act 2010 duty concerns disability as defined by the Act. Special educational needs and disability can overlap, but they are not interchangeable.

The duty is anticipatory: providers consider likely barriers in advance as well as responding to individual children’s needs.

What might an adjustment involve?

Depending on the child and the barrier, examples could include a visual sequence for a routine, adapting how instructions are communicated or providing equipment that enables participation in shared play. Discussion with children, families and relevant professionals can help identify what is useful.

What makes an adjustment reasonable?

Reasonableness depends on the circumstances, including how effectively an adjustment addresses the disadvantage, its practicality and available resources. There is no single list that fits every child or setting.

Legal requirements differ between schools and other early years providers. In schools, physical alterations are addressed through accessibility planning duties rather than the reasonable-adjustment duty for pupils.

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