This British Values in the EYFS course is designed for early years practitioners, childminders, managers and others working with young children in England. It develops a practical understanding of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance, showing how these values can be introduced through developmentally appropriate everyday experiences.
This free course explores the statutory and funding context, links with the seven EYFS areas of learning, inclusive environments, play, routines and positive adult role modelling. It also covers working with parents and carers, responding to stereotypes and exclusion, safeguarding concerns relating to radicalisation or extremism, and how Fundamental British Values can be evident within typical early years practice.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Fundamental British Values are most meaningful for young children when they are reflected naturally in relationships, play, routines and the learning environment. This course supports practitioners to move beyond token activities and develop consistent, inclusive and age-appropriate practice.
This course will help you to:
- Understand what the four Fundamental British Values mean in early years practice.
- Connect choice, participation, fairness and respect with children’s everyday experiences.
- Promote independence while maintaining appropriate boundaries and safety.
- Build inclusive learning environments that represent different families and communities.
- Use play, routines and adult-guided learning to reinforce positive values.
- Respond appropriately to stereotypes, exclusion and disrespect.
- Work positively and professionally with parents and carers.
- Recognise when concerns should be passed through safeguarding procedures.
- Understand how the values connect with EYFS learning and development.
- Reflect on practice and identify realistic opportunities for improvement.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define the four Fundamental British Values.
- Explain the statutory Prevent duty and relevant early education funding expectations.
- Describe how British Values can be introduced through age-appropriate EYFS practice.
- Explain how democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, respect and tolerance can be reflected in everyday provision.
- Identify connections between Fundamental British Values and the prime and specific areas of learning.
- Apply the values through routines, play, adult-guided learning and inclusive resources.
- Describe how practitioners can model fairness, participation, cooperation and respect.
- Explain appropriate responses to stereotypes, exclusion and safeguarding concerns.
- Describe positive approaches to partnership with parents and carers.
- Identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement in typical early years practice.
British Values in the EYFS Course Outline
The course is organised into six modules, progressing from the meaning and context of Fundamental British Values through practical EYFS application, inclusion, safeguarding and reflective improvement.
Module 1: Understanding Fundamental British Values in Early Years Practice
Learners will explore democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance, with a focus on what these concepts mean for young children. The module distinguishes the statutory Prevent duty from funding expectations relating to actively promoting Fundamental British Values and explains how the values can be incorporated into normal, age-appropriate EYFS experiences rather than taught as abstract civic concepts.
Module 2: Putting the Four Values into Everyday Practice
Learners will examine how each value can be experienced through ordinary early years practice. This includes listening to children’s views, offering meaningful choices, supporting simple shared decisions, establishing fair rules and routines, encouraging safe independence and exploration, and creating respectful relationships. The module also considers how practitioners can challenge stereotypes and promote belonging without treating difference as something unusual.
Module 3: Connecting British Values with EYFS Learning and Development
Learners will identify how Fundamental British Values can connect naturally with all seven areas of learning and development. Communication, relationships, self-regulation, movement, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive learning can all provide opportunities to explore participation, fairness, cooperation and difference. The module also considers how collaborative play and shared experiences can support several values and areas of learning at the same time.
Module 4: Routines, Play, Inclusion and Positive Role Modelling
Learners will consider how arrival, mealtimes, tidying, transitions and group activities can provide repeated opportunities for choice, responsibility and cooperation. The module compares practice that supports the values with approaches that can undermine them, explores representative resources and inclusive experiences, and explains how adults can model attentive listening, respectful language, fair treatment, cooperation and constructive disagreement.
Module 5: Consistent Practice, Safeguarding and Working with Families
Learners will explore the importance of shared expectations, consistent routines, aligned policies and reflective oversight across early years provision. The module explains how to respond calmly to stereotypes, exclusion and disrespect, when concerns about possible radicalisation or extremism should be passed through safeguarding procedures, and why practitioners should not investigate such concerns themselves. It also covers respectful partnership with parents and carers while maintaining professional, safeguarding, equality and curriculum responsibilities.
Module 6: Evidencing and Improving British Values in Early Years Provision
Learners will examine how Fundamental British Values can contribute to the wider picture of safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum, teaching, achievement, behaviour, wellbeing and leadership considered within early years practice. The module identifies where the values may be visible in children’s experiences, adult interactions, routines, curriculum choices and resources. It also explores common weaknesses such as tokenistic activities, narrow representation and inconsistent practice before introducing reflective questions that can support realistic, ongoing improvement.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Early years practitioners working in nurseries, pre-schools and other childcare settings.
- Registered childminders and childminding assistants.
- Early years managers, room leaders and supervisors.
- Staff responsible for curriculum planning or inclusive practice.
- Apprentices and learners preparing to work within early years provision.
- Early years staff who need to refresh their understanding of Fundamental British Values.
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
The course is suitable for early years practitioners, childminders, managers, supervisors, apprentices and others who support young children’s learning and development in England.
Do I need any previous experience?
No previous specialist knowledge of Fundamental British Values is required. The course introduces the key concepts and explains how they connect with everyday early years practice.
What will I learn on this British Values in the EYFS course?
You will learn about the four Fundamental British Values, their statutory and funding context, their links with EYFS learning and development, and practical ways to support participation, independence, fairness, inclusion and respect.
Will this course help with day-to-day practice?
Yes. The course uses everyday examples including children’s choices, play, mealtimes, transitions, group activities, resources, conversations and relationships to show how the values can be embedded naturally within normal provision.
Does the course cover practical skills?
The course focuses on practical application as well as knowledge. It considers how to offer meaningful choices, establish fair boundaries, create inclusive environments, challenge stereotypes, support cooperation and reflect on existing practice.
Does it cover relevant responsibilities and good practice?
Yes. The course explains the relationship between Fundamental British Values, the Prevent duty, safeguarding procedures, funded early education expectations and wider EYFS practice. It also covers proportionate responses to safeguarding concerns and the importance of following current setting and local procedures.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
This course provides a practical foundation for promoting Fundamental British Values in ways that are meaningful for young children. It supports early years professionals to build these principles into inclusive relationships, learning experiences, routines and environments while maintaining clear professional and safeguarding responsibilities.
Enrol now to build your understanding of Fundamental British Values in the EYFS.
