Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to help ensure that all children have access to music while in early years education.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the regulatory standards for learning and development for all early years providers caring for children from birth to 5.

The EYFS defines 7 areas of learning under which sit 17 early learning goals (ELG) which summarise the knowledge, skills and understanding that all young children should have gained by the end of the reception year.

Under the ‘Expressive arts and design’ area of learning, the ‘Exploring and using media and materials’ ELG involves children singing songs, making music and dancing, and the ‘Being imaginative’ ELG involves children representing their ideas, thoughts and feelings through music.

We are currently in the process of piloting draft revised ELG which will retain a focus on music as an important part of a broad and balanced curriculum in the early years.