Yes, but the EYFS, being newly introduced this September, is somewhat more prescriptive, as I understand it.
To the OP - I had a look at the guidelines for exemption, and you CAN apply, through the CM, for an exemption for your individual child. It looks like a right faff - you have to say each of the goals that you don't agree with and want your child exempted from, and why. They are making it really difficult for individuals to opt out.
Here's the official text:
Section 4
Exemptions in Respect of an Individual Child
47. Parents can apply for an exemption for their child where they feel that the learning and development requirements of the EYFS conflict with their religious or philosophical convictions, the parent must apply to the provider whose setting that their child attends/will attend.
48. Everyone who is a parent, as defined in section 3 above, has the right to participate in decisions about a child?s care and education, even though for day to day purposes, the provider?s main contact is likely to be the person with whom the child lives. As the decision may have a long term and significant impact on the child, providers must seek consent from both parents in cases where the parents do not live together and where the non-resident parent has informed the provider that he / she wishes to be approached for consent.
49. In a case where the provider has sought consent from both parents it is possible that one gives consent and the other withholds it. In this case the non-resident parent?s views should be taking into account by the provider, and if it is clear that the other parent does not agree, the provider should take that into account when deciding whether or not to grant the exemption.
50. Prior to making an application, parents should discuss their concerns with the provider or prospective provider. In the majority of cases it should be possible to accommodate parents? religious and philosophical convictions within the EYFS framework. Following discussions with the provider, if parents still feel that there is a case for exemption, they should write to the provider, clearly setting out:
? For each element of the learning and development requirements for which exemption is sought, the reasons why it is felt to be in conflict with the parents? philosophical or religious convictions;
? For each early learning goal and/or area of learning and development which is considered to be in conflict, how the parent would like this to be resolved ? either through exemption or modification of specific early learning goals.
51. Parents may only submit applications for exemption or modification in respect of their own children. A provider may only make a determination on an individual basis. Blanket applications may not be granted, as regulations prescribe that such an exemption may only be determined in respect of a particular young child.
52. Providers can only consider an exemption where a written application has been received from the parent. Providers must then seek the views of their local authority as to whether they should grant the exemption, and should take account of those views in reaching their decision.
53. Providers are not obliged to exempt children from the EYFS. Where an exemption is not agreed, the parent may seek alternative provision for their child, or choose to accept provision within the EYFS from the current/prospective provider.
54. Where providers do decide to exempt a specific child, they must inform their local authority of their decision, setting out which elements of the EYFS learning and development requirements they are granting an exemption from and the nature of the exemption, and provide written confirmation to the parent. Exemptions should be backdated to start on the day that the parent submitted the written application. On inspection, the onus will be on providers to show Ofsted inspectors that any exemptions have been properly granted. Ofsted may ask to see:
? the application letters from the child?s parent together with copies of any correspondence and notes of discussions with the parent about the exemption;
? full records of the provider?s consultation (copies of letters and notes of discussions) with the local authority as well as the notification of their decision; and
? the determination made by the provider which exempts the child, stating the date on which the exemption began, the length of time for which the exemption has been granted and which early learning goals and or areas of learning and development have been disapplied/modified.
55. Ofsted will expect providers to demonstrate that their setting is able to meet the full requirements of the EYFS regardless of any exemptions which are in place in respect of particular children.
56. The provider can only grant an exemption for a maximum of 12 months. At the end of this period, if the child still attends the same early years provision, the parents should consider, and discuss with the provider, whether they still feel an exemption is required, and submit a new application if so. It is important to recognise that it is possible that an exemption may no longer be required, for instance because the parents? views have changed or because they may no longer feel it is necessary as the child grows older.
Funding
57. The local authority has discretion to decide whether or not to fund the setting to provide the free early education entitlement to individual children who are exempt from one or more of the learning and development requirements. Further guidance on this is set out in the guidance to local authorities in Section 5.