Birth to 5 Matters is non-statutory guidance produced by the sector, for the sector, by the Early Years Coalition.
Foundations of highest quality
Click below to read Birth to 5 Matters guidance on foundations of highest quality provision for children.
Principles of the EYFS
Sustainability
Sustainability
Promoting voice and inclusion
Promoting voice and inclusion
Play
Play
Care
Care
Transitions
Transitions
Quality improvement and leadership
Quality improvement and leadership
Click below to read Birth to 5 Matters guidance on any aspect of the four underpinning principles of the EYFS.
Child development
Child development
Self-regulation
Self-regulation
Parents as partners
Parents as partners
Attachment and the key person
Attachment and the key person
Learning environments
Learning environments
The wider context
The wider context
How children learn
How children learn
Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
Supporting development and learning
Supporting development and learning
Digital pedagogy
Digital pedagogy
Child development
Child development
Self-regulation
Self-regulation
How children learn
How children learn
Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
Parents as partners
Parents as partners
Supporting development and learning
Supporting development and learning
Attachment and the key person
Attachment and the key person
Learning environments
Learning environments
The wider context
The wider context
Digital pedagogy
Digital pedagogy
Across early childhood
Across early childhood
Birth to 2
Birth to 2
2-year-olds
2-year-olds
3-4-year-olds
3-4 year olds
Reception and beyond
Reception and beyond
Holistic development and learning
Holistic development and learning
Overview of CoEL and Areas of Learning and Development
Overview of CoEL and Areas of Learning and Development
Prime areas
Prime areas
Specific areas
Specific areas
Observation, assessment and planning
Observation, assessment and planning
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Personal, social, and emotional development
Personal, social, and emotional development
Literacy
Literacy
Using Bto5M to support development and learning
Using Bto5M to support development and learning
Communication and language
Communication and language
Mathematics
Mathematics
Physical development
Physical development
Understanding the World
Understanding the World
Expressive arts and design
Expressive arts and design
Across early childhood
Across early childhood
Birth to 2
Birth to 2
2-year-olds
2-year-olds
3-4-year-olds
3-4 year olds
Reception and beyond
Reception and beyond
Holistic development and learning
Holistic development and learning
Overview of CoEL and Areas of Learning and Development
Overview of CoEL and Areas of Learning and Development
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Prime areas
Prime areas
Personal, social, and emotional development
Personal, social, and emotional development
Literacy
Literacy
Physical development
Physical development
Specific areas
Specific areas
Communication and language
Communication and language
Mathematics
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Understanding the World
Expressive arts and design
Expressive arts and design
Observation, assessment and planning
Observation, assessment and planning
Using Bto5M to support development and learning
Using Bto5M to support development and learning
2026 Habermaass Prize for Excellent Training, Teaching & Professionalization
Birth to 5 Matters and the Early Years Coalition received the 2026 Habermaass Prize for Excellent Training, Teaching & Professionalization.