The findings are revealed in the Pre-School Learning Alliance's survey 'One Year On', a follow-up to research carried out for the Department for Children, Schools and Families last year, which had highlighted practitioners' fears about the introduction of the EYFS.
Child-led learning and user- friendly planning, which enables practitioners to reflect on practice, were highlighted as factors in the EYFS that were particularly beneficial to early years settings, followed by the emphasis on outdoor play and record-keeping.
Neil Leitch, director of communications at the Alliance, said, 'Overall it's quite a good endorsement of the EYFS. A year ago the EYFS was a major concern. Most of those fears have been put to rest.
'If you asked people last year, there was a perception that the EYFS would entail more work, but that doesn't seem to be the case in reality. People are more concerned about funding and the effects of the recession now - parents not being able to pay fees or banks not lending to businesses.'
He added, 'I think the survey is a fantastic endorsement of early years practitioners' ability to adapt and change.'
The survey was carried out among the Alliance's own early years settings and member settings, with 139 replies received.
Out of a scale of one to five - where five was 'very beneficial' and one was 'not beneficial' - 18 per cent of those surveyed rated the EYFS five for its benefits to their setting, while just 10 per cent gave it the lowest ratings of one or two.
Meanwhile, 72 per cent of respondents said that they felt adequately supported to deliver all the elements of the EYFS.
Despite the support for outdoor play in the EYFS, outdoor learning did present some challenges for some pre-schools and nurseries, such as pack-away pre-schools that share facilities in church halls and settings that had no outdoor area or space to create one.
One third of those surveyed did not feel that Ofsted inspectors had been trained adequately to inspect against the new framework.
Comments included that Ofsted 'just tick boxes' and that Ofsted inspectors did not appear to understand child development.
Most parents (85 per cent) are also broadly supportive of the new framework, the survey found.
However, some early years workers also reported that although most parents were supportive of the EYFS, there was also a lack of interest in the details of the framework, with many reporting that as long as their children were happy, parents were happy.
Nearly all practitioners (97 per cent) felt that the EYFS did not disadvantage boys, and many commented that the new framework was particularly beneficial for boys (see box).
Mr Leitch said, 'It's interesting in the light of the recent EYFS Profile results, which found that boys were lagging behind girls, that just 3 per cent of practitioners felt that boys were placed under any disadvantage in the EYFS.'
EYFS CONFERENCE
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SURVEY STATISTICS
- 45 per cent of respondents feel the administrative burden has increased 'a lot' since the implementation of the EYFS
- 60 per cent feel that parents have received enough information to understand the benefits of the EYFS
- When asked what were the key challenges in implementing the EYFS in their settings, 41 respondents cited staff getting used to the EYFS and lack of time, followed by outdoor play, funding for equipment and lack of space (18 comments), and planning (12 comments)
- When asked about parents' reactions to the EYFS, nine respondents said that parents think the EYFS is 'too much, too soon'
COMMENTS FROM THE SURVEY
Benefits of the EYFS
- 'Child-led learning has been warmly received by everyone.'
- 'There is a drastic change in children's attitudes. They are much more free in exploring and using their own ideas and initiate ideas indoors as well as outdoors.'
Boys
- 'I think boys have benefited more, due to them being able to use their rough play in a positive way to develop their own planning and learning, therefore developing their imagination and concentration.'
- 'We have seen a marked improvement in what boys in particular do. Their concentration levels have increased and we have no problems with them with regard to taking part in mark making activities, because we try to use themes they are interested in.'
Parents
- 'I'm not sure that many parents are very aware of the EYFS and what it means for their child. Most parents seem pleased provided their child is settled and happy in the group and is making progress'.
- 'The setting provided a six-week EYFS awareness course for parents and carers. This was widely supported and received positive comments as they felt coming into the setting and seeing the children experience the curriculum first-hand was very beneficial.'
Ofsted
- 'They don't seem to understand the importance of child-centred learning, or the way planning is done. They don't make allowances for the difficulties in providing free-flow indoors and outdoors in unsuitable buildings.'
Training
- 'Putting the EYFS into practice is completely different to the training. I feel the paperwork is extremely time consuming, taking away time from the children.'