Early years ordinarily available provision guidance - Key to the guiding principal headings

The guiding principals are divided into sections. Each section has the same 5 sub-headings. This page explains the headings used in the sections.


Section heading

This shows the heading for the focus of information presented in the section.

This shows how it links to the EYFS prime areas of learning and development:

  • Personal, social and emotional development
  • Communication and language
  • Physical development
  • All 3 prime areas

Description of expected Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) This column applies to ALL children in the setting.

This aims to provide a description of the expected OAP for ALL children your setting (this may include some general strategies).

Strategies and examples to support implementing the expected OAP

This provides strategies and specific examples to support staff implementing the expected OAP. It may also signpost to further information available, e.g., videos, relevant professionals to contact, and guiding documents.

This will link the expected OAP (where appropriate) to a specific area(s) of need:

  • Speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN)
  • Social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH)
  • Cognition and learning (CL)
  • Sensory and physical needs (S/PN)

Additional strategies to support specific area(s) of need

This will provide additional strategies to support children who have identified or emerging additional needs.

Emerging needs may be when a child is finding a skill or a particular activity tricky and may benefit from some further support. This may be before external professionals become involved.

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