Did you know you may be able to gain exemption from the EYFS?
Section 46 of The Childcare Act 2006 is the bit that allows exemptions to be applied for. Section 46(1) covers early years providers, while 46(2) allows providers to exempt certain children. Beverley Hughes, the Minister for Children, has also said "individual parents will have the opportunity of applying for an exemption for their child ... if they can demonstrate that they conflict with their philosophies and beliefs"
It's not going to be easy, though, because paragraph 4.3 of the Statutory Framework booklet says "Such exemptions will only be
granted in exceptional circumstances and where the provider can demonstrate that every effort has been made to comply with the requirements" but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
On top of that, there's a catch: before you can be granted exemption the secretary of state needs to have some regulations laid before parliament and this is not expected to happen "until the autumn". By that, I think they mean sometime after they go back at the end of their summer recess, probably Novemberish. As the EYFS starts in September, there will then be a gap of 2 months or so when exemptions cannot be granted. Hardly fair, is it, but that doesn't mean you can't apply for exemption now to show them there is likely to be a bigger demand than they are expecting.
If you do decide to apply, you need to write to the Secretary of State and state why you want exemption. The address to write to is:
Rt Hon Edward Balls MP
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Good luck.