Does the EYFS require that there must be a teacher present with the children in a nursery class all of the time?
No. The EYFS requires that the teacher must be present except during non-contact time, breaks and short-term absence. Examples of teachers’ non-contact time include planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time or because he or she is a Newly Qualified Teacher on a reduced timetable. For the purposes of the EYFS, examples of short-term absence include times when the teacher must leave the children briefly e.g. to take an urgent telephone call or to speak to a parent, or special occasions such as the children’s Christmas party when the teacher’s particular skills and expertise are not necessarily required. Headteachers should exercise their professional judgement in determining where cover from another teacher is required.
Related Questions
- Does the EYFS require that there must be a teacher present with the children in a nursery class all of the time?
- If a nursery class in a maintained school has more than 26 children, is an additional teacher required?
- Does the EYFS require there to be a teacher present in nursery classes in maintained schools?
