<P> The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a term defined in Section 39 of the British government's Childcare Act 2006 . The EYFS comprises a set of Welfare Requirements and a set of Learning and Development Requirements, which must be followed by providers of care for children below five years old--the age of compulsory education in the United Kingdom . The Welfare and Learning and Development requirements are not specified in the Act but in separate Orders . </P> <P> The legislation took effect from September 2008 . The Welfare requirements apply to the whole of the UK, but the Learning and Development requirements apply only in England . </P> <P> All childcare providers, including childminders, nurseries, kindergartens and pre-school classes, are obliged to register under the Childcare Act in order to operate legally . To become and remain registered they must comply with the Welfare requirements, and with the L&D requirements for settings in England (except where exempted). </P>

When was the early years foundation stage introduced
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