Childminder Paperwork > Changes to the EYFS
 

The new Statutory framework for the EYFS (early years foundation stage) starts from 1st September 2021

Ofsted’s expectations during inspection have changed. This means that the way we prepare for Ofsted inspection needs to change:

• Workload needs to be reduced – especially tracking and data collection.

• Communication and language needs to improve – it has to be a focus of your curriculum.

• Ofsted will inspect you on how you support children who are at risk of falling behind and close the gap.

Childcare.co.uk have been looking at ways you can evidence the new expectations, so you feel confident that, if an Ofsted inspector arrives tomorrow, you will be able to talk about what the children have been doing and learning – without lots of photos or files or tick lists or documentation.

Less workload will leave time for quality play – more time for prioritising fun and making memories.
 

Read our 26 page overview to the EYFS Changes for 2021
Read our Parents guide to the EYFS
 

Ofsted answer your questions about the revised EYFS 2021

Watch our free exclusive video discussion with senior Ofsted inspectors
 

Sample Letter to Parents about the EYFS Changes

We have created a sample letter that you can send to parents about the changes. Please edit the letter to suit your particular requirements and setting depending upon whether you work alone or with others.

Download the Sample Letter to Parents about the EYFS Changes
 

Information sheets for parents

Childcare.co.uk now provide a series of 89 Information for Parents sheets. These are one page guides to support early years providers. They are not intended to create extra workload or require extra record keeping. You should adapt these sample documents to suit your setting and requirements.
 

1. Review your curriculum

• What is your vision for your setting?

• Think about what you want the children to learn – what skills, knowledge and experiences you want them to gain while they are with you.

• Is your curriculum broad and balanced? Before you make any changes, think: what is working well?

• Is your curriculum well sequenced for every child?

• Does your curriculum include fun activities for the child?
 

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with a carefully sequenced curriculum, by age, for you to use as a starting point. No published curriculum will give you everything you need for every child.
 

Overview of Planning in the Early Years

Read our Overview of Planning in the Early Years
 

Sample Early Years Curriculum Guidance

Read our Sample Early Years Curriculum Guidance
 

Communication & Language Toolkit

Communication & Language Toolkit
 

2. Ensure your curriculum supports every child

• Read the new educational programmes in the EYFS 2021 – you will find published guidance from DfE (Development Matters) and the sector (Birth to 5 Matters) to support you.

• Think about the balance of child-initiated and adult-guided play – as the child gets older, the EYFS states that you will need to increase the number of adult-guided experiences you offer.

• Note that Ofsted inspection is not about what topics or themes or schemes you follow or whether you are a Forest School or Montessori setting. Ofsted will ask, ‘What is it like for a child here?’

• Think about how well you balance child initiated and adult-guided play through the week.
 

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with a series of provision planning, themed planning and continuous provision planning guides, updated for the new curriculum expectations.
 

Provision Planning for the 7 Areas of Learning Guidance

Read our Provision Planning for the 7 Areas of Learning Guidance

 

Themed Planning Guidance

Read our Themed Planning Guidance
 

Sample Continuous Provision Planning Guidance

Read our Sample Continuous Provision Planning Guidance
 

Guidance to Help you Support Children's Schemas

Read our Guidance to Help you Support Children's Schemas
 

Quality Teaching

We know from the revised Ofsted inspection handbook (updated April 2021) and provider feedback that Ofsted inspectors are focusing on quality teaching during inspection. We have provided you with guidance to help you focus on planning for learning, teaching British values and teaching so children learn.

Read our quality teaching guidance:

Planning for Learning

Teaching British Values

Teaching so Children Learn
 

3. Watch and listen and notice

• Speak to parents and find out about the child’s home and family life – you need to start building a picture of the child from day 1 of their time in the setting.

• Ask parents for details about their child’s learning and development starting points.

• Ensure you – and your staff – have a good knowledge of child development.

• Note which learning characteristics the child is currently using in their play.

• Value all learning – the new curriculum should focus on depth of learning, not rushing children on.

• Think carefully about ‘what next?’ for the child – how you can support their progress.
 

Child Development Guidance

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with detailed child development guidance for different ages of children.

Read our Child Development Guidance
 

4. Note the child’s progress

• Play with the child, enjoying your time together – spot teachable moments on the spot, as you are playing together, when you can pop in a little bit of learning.

• Get the relationships right for every child, ensuring they have a key person from day 1.

• Set up your environment, including resources linked to the child’s current interests and new things you want them to learn.

• Over the child’s time with you, note how well they are engaging with your curriculum.

• Spot if there are any concerns with their progress.

• Speak to parents to ensure you have the full picture of what the child can and cannot yet do.

Communication & Language Assessment

6 Steps to Successful Starting Points

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with this guidance which will support you when asking parents about their child’s starting points – their home, family and community learning experiences which will enable you to plan their individual curriculum from day 1 in the setting.

6 Steps to Successful Starting Points
 

Quick Assessment Checks

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with ‘quick assessment checks’ to use if you or parents want to track the child’s progress at a deeper level and further guidance to help you assess the child’s progress if you or parents have concerns.

Read our Series of Quick Assessment Checks
 

Detailed Assessment Toolkits

Read More Detailed Assessment Toolkits
 

School Ready Skills
 

5. Comply with the statutory requirements

✔ When the child is between the ages of 2 and 3, write a Progress Check at 2.

✔ Cover the child’s progress – and what they are working on next – in the prime areas of learning.

✔ Include parent comments and ask parents to sign the check.

✔ Put the check in the child’s file and, where possible, ask parents to share it at their child’s 2 year old health visitor check.
 

Progress Check a 2 Guidance

Childcare.co.uk have provided you with guidance to help you complete a Progress Check at 2 without levels or grades or tick lists.

Read our Progress Check at 2 Guidance
 

Preparing for Ofsted Inspection - The 3 I's: Intent, Implementation and Impact

The 3 I's: Intent, Implementation and Impact
 

6. Oral Health Resources

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2021) has been updated to include the requirement: ‘The provider must promote the good health, including the oral health, of children attending the setting.’ EYFS 2021 requirement 3.45, statutory from 1st September 2021.

We have produced 27 Oral Health Resources and guides for childcare providers to help them comply with the new requirements.
 

7. Documents for early years providers

Childcare.co.uk provide a range of free documents and paperwork for registered childminders and other early years providers.

Childminder Organiser - Free 79 page organiser to you organise your early years business

Childminder Paperwork - Free statutory and non-statutory forms and other paperwork

Childminder Contracts - Free contracts, fees policy, assistant contracts and more

Childminder Policies & Procedures - Free statutory and non-statutory policies - Updated for EYFS 2021

Childminder Guides - Hundreds of childminder guides and resources

Health & Safety Toolkit - Free series of guides to support early years practitioners with all aspects of health and safety

Safeguarding Quick Reference Cards - Free reference cards to help manage child protection and safeguarding