The Alliance is calling for more information and guidance for parents on how to support their children’s early learning after a recent poll found that less than half (46%) of those with children under five felt confident they knew what the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was.
The survey results come as the Alliance relaunches its family website, Family Corner, which offers free expert insights, activity ideas and online learning sessions on key areas of child development for parents and carers of under-fives.
According to the poll of almost 400 parents and carers of under-fives, which was conducted online in September 2025, almost 1 in 5 (18%) respondents had never heard of the EYFS, while a quarter (25%) had heard of it but were not sure what it was, and a further 11% weren’t sure if they’d heard of it.
The survey also found that parents felt least confident knowing how to deal with selective (‘fussy’) eating, toilet training and how to support a child with SEND, with respondents expressing a desire for more information on early educational milestones and ideas for activities to support learning at home.
The newly-revamped Family Corner website includes useful information on the EYFS, as well as key areas of learning and development, including communication and language, health wellbeing, emotional development and learning through play.
Commenting, Alliance early years development manager Julie Pearson said: “Parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting young children’s learning at home. We know that families want to do everything they can to support their children’s development, but that all too often, accessing simple, reliable information on early learning, and how it can be supported at home, can be a real challenge.
“But supporting early learning doesn’t have to come at a cost – in fact, simply talking, reading, playing and interacting with our children is enough to create a positive environment that lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
“That’s why we’re so excited to be relaunching the Family Corner website, packed full of completely free resources and lots of easy, practical ideas and advice about how families can support their children’s learning at home.
“With articles on everything from emotional wellbeing to communication and language, plus regular free online sessions for families, Family Corner is a must-have resource for any parent or carer with a child in the early years.”
