Opportunities for developing D&T in the EYFS Framework (2026)
This document aims to highlight opportunities to elements of design and technology (D&T) learning into the Early Years Foundation Stage. Advice around effective D&T practice has been produced to align with the non-statutory guidance from ‘Development Matters’ and the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage produced by the DfE. There are opportunities for D&T engagement across all seven areas of learning and the effective D&T practice should not be seen as either an exhaustive list or statutory requirements.
The areas of learning covered are:
- communication and language
- physical development
- personal, social and emotional development
- literacy
- mathematics
- understanding the world
- expressive arts and design
This resource includes charts to help identify opportunities for D&T for children in EYFS. These suggest what children might learn, what adults could do and include notes on effective practice. Examples have been added or amended to indicate relevance to D&T.