The early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile handbook provides guidance to schools on how to administer the EYFS profile assessment at the end of the reception year.

Documents

Early adopter schools: EYFS profile handbook

Ref: DfE-00106-2020PDF, 375KB, 27 pages

Details

This handbook is for schools participating in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) reforms early adopter year from September 2020 to August 2021.

All other schools and childcare providers should use the early years foundation stage profile handbook.

In 2021, the EYFS profile is not mandatory, including for EYFS reforms early adopter schools. Practitioners must use their best endeavours to complete it and provide the information to year 1 teachers and parents, if this is possible.

There is no requirement to submit data to the local authority or to confirm whether you have completed it to the Department for Education.

Further information is set out in the Early years foundation stage: coronavirus disapplications guidance.

The handbook is a guide to making accurate judgements about each child’s attainment at the end of the early years foundation stage. It also details the statutory requirements for the EYFS profile assessment for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.

It should be read alongside the early adopter framework.

Published 1 July 2020
Last updated 11 March 2021 + show all updates

  1. Updated Details section to clarify that, in 2021, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) profile is not mandatory, including for EYFS reforms early adopter schools.

  2. First published.