1 week to go... are you ready?

[sarah707]

The revised EYFS is now a week away! :panic: Are you ready? :clapping:

Here are a few more things you might need to do to prepare yourself…

• Are you happy that you understand how to use the prime and specific areas of learning, so the focus is on the prime areas for the little ones… but all children still have plenty of opportunities to sing, dance, make music, explore the world around them, use ICT etc?

Have you thought about how you will show this in your paperwork?

• Are you aware that any safeguarding training you attend in the future must be local authority approved? Have you spoken to your LA about which training provider(s) they intend to approve so you are organised?

• Have you noted that once a child starts school you do not have to deliver the full EYFS - BUT you do need to speak to their parents and other settings about how to complement their learning and care? Do you have a system in place ready to evidence your conversations and parents / other setting thoughts?

• Are you aware of the new requirements that if a child attends your provision who speaks English as a second or additional language you must be ready to show how you will support the child’s use of their home language in the provision as well as teaching them English?

If this applies to you... have you thought about how you will evidence it?

• Have you made a decision about which risk assessments you are going to write and which will be in your head? Be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

• Have you noted that records about individual children must be retained for a ‘reasonable period of time’ instead of 3 years as in the current EYFS? However, for insurance purposes many records must be retained until the child is 21 years old.

Parents need to be informed about which records are retained and for how long to help you comply with the Data Protection Act - have you thought about how you will organise this?

• Have you noted that the EYFS (2012) no longer requires you to note an adult with ‘legal contact’ for the child - however parental responsibility must still be recorded?

• If you employ an assistant have you noted the new requirement - childminded children may be left in the sole care of childminders’ assistants for 2 hours at most in a single day?

It is strongly recommended that you keep accurate records of times when children are left alone with assistants in case of query or complaint in the future.

• Have you noted the revised requirement that fresh drinking water must be available and accessible at all times (not just available)? Do you need to make changes to the place where drinks are stored so they are always accessible to the children? How will you manage this if you have children of very different ages?

• Are you aware that, under the revised EYFS, children must usually be within sight and hearing and always within sight or hearing? Are there any times during the day when children are out of your sight and hearing - such as when you are collecting older children from school or due to the layout of your house while you are preparing meals?

How will you arrange things from Sept to ensure you meet the requirement?

• Have you read that new requirement that parents must be provided with a telephone number to contact in an emergency? Have you provided this information to all parents?

• Are you aware that there is no longer a requirement to gain permission from parents to obtain medical advice or treatment on behalf of a child? You will need to be aware of this when you are completing documentation with parents, especially if the form you currently use to ask this permission also requests details about emergency contacts as these will still be needed.

• Have you noted that there is no longer a requirement to carry out fire escape practices with the children? Have you thought about how you intend to show evidence that children know what to do in the event of a fire if you no longer write down their reactions to practices?

A lot of childminders are worrying that there is more of a burden than ever before to complete documentation, despite the government telling us that we should be doing less!

It is true that some things do need organising so you are ready for the start of the revised EYFS in September.

However, once they are in place, they should only need tweaking in the future!

There is lots of help around the forum and in free downloads... just one last push ready for September guys! :jump for joy: :D

[EmmaReed84]

With regards to seek permission for emergency advice/treatment?

It is not a requirement, but we still have it as a permission? Or does it need to be deleted altogether?

The reason I ask is because all my permissions are on one form so just for ease, I would rather keep it there rather than print them off again lol... Lazy I know but I have been working every night on this from 5pm to midnight...

bit confused about the fire escape bit... how can we document children know what/how to do, their understanding of fire evacuation if we no longer do fire drills?

[sarah707]

With regards to seek permission for emergency advice/treatment?

It is not a requirement, but we still have it as a permission? Or does it need to be deleted altogether?

I do not have any information about that - only that it's not a requirement in the EYFS any more.

Everyone will have to make their own decisions about what to do I can't advise

The reason I ask is because all my permissions are on one form so just for ease, I would rather keep it there rather than print them off again lol... Lazy I know but I have been working every night on this from 5pm to midnight...

bit confused about the fire escape bit... how can we document children know what/how to do, their understanding of fire evacuation if we no longer do fire drills?

Again all I can do is point out that it is no longer a requirement... everyone will have to make their own decisions based on the children and their needs.

Will they know what to do if you don't do a fire practice? Are they of an age where they might fight it ... and a practice is useful?

If you have to justify your decision not to do fire practices any more to an inspector what will you say?


Hope that helps a bit! :D

[blue bear]

Thank you Sarah, I'm going to continue with fire drills that way the children will behave instinctively if the worst was ever to happen. As the emergency treatment is on the contract (mm) I will continue. With that too, it gives the opportunity to talk about personal pre fences/religious beliefs if nothing else.


Sarah you are so good to support us all like this, it's much appreciated :thumbsup:

[Muffin]

Thank you Sarah :)

[cathtee]

Thanks again Sarah, so much information to digest :panic:

[miffy]

Oh no! More to add to my already far too long list!

I'm grateful though Sarah, even if I don't sound it! :D

Miffy xx

[Donkey]

sarah stop it!!!

only kidding... but seriously... guess what I am doing next 2 weekends :(

[Donkey]

just a question about assistants


is this 2 hours total or 2 hours per child...

I am guessing total but................. its ambiguous!

assistant takes child b to school, 30 minute journey, assistant collects child c from home 30 minutes...

so is that 1 hour or 30 minutes

:panic::panic::panic:

(this is why his EYC is winging its way to Ofsted as we speak....)

[Donkey]

Just a thought but my LA says its not just safeguarding that needs to be local authority approved but first aid too

[Carol M]

Thank you Sarah.
I now have 5 days off ( my summer holiday) guess what I will be doing.
Think I'm almost there, just have to put it all together. And catch up on bloomin LJ's before starting them with new paperwork :panic:
I have had a new lo start this month so am using the new paperwork for her now.
Thanks again for your very helpful checklist.
Carol xx

[Toothfairy]

Thank you :thumbsup:

[sarah707]

just a question about assistants


is this 2 hours total or 2 hours per child...

I am guessing total but................. its ambiguous!

assistant takes child b to school, 30 minute journey, assistant collects child c from home 30 minutes...

so is that 1 hour or 30 minutes

:panic::panic::panic:

(this is why his EYC is winging its way to Ofsted as we speak....)

That is a very good question Donkey!

My understanding is that it is 2 hours at a time... but you'd need to check that one with Ofsted:D

[jumpinjen]

Oh my word, more to do!!!

Sarah, I'm thinking of putting you on the ignore list I just found out about!!!!

Only joking - I hadn't realised that the EYFS was now so 'silent' on so many issues -

Jen x

[blue bear]

That is a very good question Donkey!

My understanding is that it is 2 hours at a time... but you'd need to check that one with Ofsted:D

Eyfs 3.41 states: children may be left in the sole care of childminders assistants for 2 hours at most in a single day. 23

23 the childcare (exemption from registrations) order 2008 specifies that where provision is made for a particular child for two hours or less a day, the carer is exempt from registration as a childminder.


Found an ofsted fact sheet about who does not have to register and it states:
Do not need to register if a particular child is with you less than two hours even if your provision is open for longer.

The rules changed in 2006.

So for an assistant who takes child a to school 30 mins. Then picks up child b for 1 hour 55 minutes they are still within the rules. Sorry no idea how to do link to fact sheet

[Childrenatheart]

I took it as 2 hours in total as it says in a day not at a time. Also that was how the 2 hour rule to be a cm was always interpreted. In the old factsheet there was an example that said something like 1/2 hour taking to school plus 1 1/2 after constituted the maximum 2 hours

[sarah707]

Sarah, I'm thinking of putting you on the ignore list I just found out about!!!!

Jen x

:crying: don't shoot the messenger :crying:

[loocyloo]

Have you read that new requirement that parents must be provided with a telephone number to contact in an emergency? Have you provided this information to all parents?

no, i hadn't picked up on that! :(

i'm a bit confused about an emergency contact number ... all parents have my home & mobile numbers ...

for whose emergency do they need another number?

their emergency they just call me on my numbers

my emergency, they won't know there is an emergency unless one of my emergency people contacts them!


i am very wary of giving other people my emergency contacts phone numbers as i have had parents in the past who assumed that meant they WOULD look after her child if i couldn't! and got stroppy when i wouldn't give their numbers!

[Jods]

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing: am up for the ignoring lol!! darn you Sarah (love you really) but stop adding more questions!!

I am halfway through updating my website and overhauling the policies and am 8 hrs in gah!! glad I gave myself the week off to do this will be in serious need for the wine later on next week me thinks x

[blue bear]

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-registration-not-required

That's the fact sheet about when you don't need to register. Hope this link works took me ages to do it.

[blue bear]

Just a thought but my LA says its not just safeguarding that needs to be local authority approved but first aid too

3.24 at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present and must accompany chikdren on outings. First aid training must be local authority approved. ....

[Donkey]

yeahhh that one...

only my LA says they only want us to use HSE approved trainers...

great, only to search for HSE approved trainers you need to know the name of the organisation...

it has been fed back and a complex list of 'how to find the info followed'

why can't we just have a list :rolleyes::rolleyes:

that has been fed back too

:D

[loocyloo]

my LA gave me a list that i HAD to do with training with .... some companies didn't exist anymore and others were not running specific peadiatric training :rolleyes:

i found a comapny who did, who specifically ran courses for childminders and rang my LA, who said ''if you are happy it complies with the course you need to do, then that is fine" :rolleyes:'' i asked if they needed any details of the company ... NO !!!

[joannetalbot]

The revised EYFS is now a week away! :panic: Are you ready? :clapping:

Here are a few more things you might need to do to prepare yourself…

• Are you happy that you understand how to use the prime and specific areas of learning, so the focus is on the prime areas for the little ones… but all children still have plenty of opportunities to sing, dance, make music, explore the world around them, use ICT etc?

Have you thought about how you will show this in your paperwork?

• Are you aware that any safeguarding training you attend in the future must be local authority approved? Have you spoken to your LA about which training provider(s) they intend to approve so you are organised?

• Have you noted that once a child starts school you do not have to deliver the full EYFS - BUT you do need to speak to their parents and other settings about how to complement their learning and care? Do you have a system in place ready to evidence your conversations and parents / other setting thoughts?

• Are you aware of the new requirements that if a child attends your provision who speaks English as a second or additional language you must be ready to show how you will support the child’s use of their home language in the provision as well as teaching them English?

If this applies to you... have you thought about how you will evidence it?

• Have you made a decision about which risk assessments you are going to write and which will be in your head? Be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

• Have you noted that records about individual children must be retained for a ‘reasonable period of time’ instead of 3 years as in the current EYFS? However, for insurance purposes many records must be retained until the child is 21 years old.

Parents need to be informed about which records are retained and for how long to help you comply with the Data Protection Act - have you thought about how you will organise this?
• Have you noted that the EYFS (2012) no longer requires you to note an adult with ‘legal contact’ for the child - however parental responsibility must still be recorded?

• If you employ an assistant have you noted the new requirement - childminded children may be left in the sole care of childminders’ assistants for 2 hours at most in a single day?

It is strongly recommended that you keep accurate records of times when children are left alone with assistants in case of query or complaint in the future.

• Have you noted the revised requirement that fresh drinking water must be available and accessible at all times (not just available)? Do you need to make changes to the place where drinks are stored so they are always accessible to the children? How will you manage this if you have children of very different ages?

• Are you aware that, under the revised EYFS, children must usually be within sight and hearing and always within sight or hearing? Are there any times during the day when children are out of your sight and hearing - such as when you are collecting older children from school or due to the layout of your house while you are preparing meals?

How will you arrange things from Sept to ensure you meet the requirement?

• Have you read that new requirement that parents must be provided with a telephone number to contact in an emergency? Have you provided this information to all parents?

• Are you aware that there is no longer a requirement to gain permission from parents to obtain medical advice or treatment on behalf of a child? You will need to be aware of this when you are completing documentation with parents, especially if the form you currently use to ask this permission also requests details about emergency contacts as these will still be needed.

• Have you noted that there is no longer a requirement to carry out fire escape practices with the children? Have you thought about how you intend to show evidence that children know what to do in the event of a fire if you no longer write down their reactions to practices?

A lot of childminders are worrying that there is more of a burden than ever before to complete documentation, despite the government telling us that we should be doing less!

It is true that some things do need organising so you are ready for the start of the revised EYFS in September.

However, once they are in place, they should only need tweaking in the future!

There is lots of help around the forum and in free downloads... just one last push ready for September guys! :jump for joy: :D

hi

what records SHOULD we retain please? I just presumed :blush: that it was all paperwork that we had for that child? I've never thrown anything away for any of the children i've cared for as i thought it all had to be kept ? but maybe not ? is there somewhere where I can find a list of exactly what we should be keeping? i maybe able to clear some space if i don't need to keep everything :rolleyes:

many thanks

jo x

[wellybelly]

Thank you Sarah so much for this list. I havn't picked up on some of these points, so I'm really greatful xxx

[tammys-tots]

hi

what records SHOULD we retain please? I just presumed :blush: that it was all paperwork that we had for that child? I've never thrown anything away for any of the children i've cared for as i thought it all had to be kept ? but maybe not ? is there somewhere where I can find a list of exactly what we should be keeping? i maybe able to clear some space if i don't need to keep everything :rolleyes:

many thanks

jo x

thanks Sarah but where does it say this in the EYFS about not needing to do fire drills with children? does this mean we would if we have others working with us? do nurseries have to do them? medical permission for children? and legal contact? does it matter if we still do this because i think its important to find out whos got legal contact! is it because it no longer states this in the eyfs ive looked several times not noticed it.

Thanks

[mrs robbie williams]

had my revised eyfs training this morning and the lady said about downloading the development matters etc which is fine but she made it sound like we use them as we used the old ones, eg date when achieved in obs. I didnt think we were meant to do that when the new one comes in?? or did i dream that ???

[sarah707]

thanks Sarah but where does it say this in the EYFS about not needing to do fire drills with children? does this mean we would if we have others working with us? do nurseries have to do them? medical permission for children? and legal contact? does it matter if we still do this because i think its important to find out whos got legal contact! is it because it no longer states this in the eyfs ive looked several times not noticed it.

Thanks

I am pointing out that the revised Eyfs does not say we have to do fire drills...

This means that a new generation of childminders will be receiving training on a set of requirements which does not include things we currently take for granted!

Things like taking a first aid kit on outings, doing fire drills, asking parents about legal contact... they are missing from the revised Eyfs.

Everyone will have to make a decision for their own business - continue asking the questions / doing the drills / taking the first aid kit on outings / asking permission for emergency medical treatment etc or don't because it's not a requirement any longer.

I can't tell you what to do - only advise you that a decision has to be made.

Does that make sense? :D

[sarah707]

had my revised eyfs training this morning and the lady said about downloading the development matters etc which is fine but she made it sound like we use them as we used the old ones, eg date when achieved in obs. I didnt think we were meant to do that when the new one comes in?? or did i dream that ???

I intend to write a date when I have noted an observation linked to an area of learning and development.

I have never used them as tick lists - I have always had evidence to back up my dates and I will continue to do that.

What D of E / Ofsted do not want is the 'tick list' mentality where children are taught certain skills so they 'pass' or 'fail'...

We have to show progression so we must work out a way of noting what a child can / cannot do without ticking a list.

I think dates are fine if, as I said, they are backed up with evidence from you, the child, home, other settings etc.

Hth :D

[tammys-tots]

I am pointing out that the revised Eyfs does not say we have to do fire drills...

This means that a new generation of childminders will be receiving training on a set of requirements which does not include things we currently take for granted!

Things like taking a first aid kit on outings, doing fire drills, asking parents about legal contact... they are missing from the revised Eyfs.

Everyone will have to make a decision for their own business - continue asking the questions / doing the drills / taking the first aid kit on outings / asking permission for emergency medical treatment etc or don't because it's not a requirement any longer.

I can't tell you what to do - only advise you that a decision has to be made.

Does that make sense? :D

yes thanks sarah, i think ill carry on as before, even tho its not written down in the eyfs mrs o will mention it, bit like sleeping arrangements for children it does not state where you are allowed to put them to sleep but i no cm that have been pulled up on putting children to sleep in pushchairs and have been told they need to put them in travel cots! when i questioned ofsted on this they replied 'its up to individual ofsted inspectors'.

[Ballette]

Have you read that new requirement that parents must be provided with a telephone number to contact in an emergency? Have you provided this information to all parents?

no, i hadn't picked up on that! :(

i'm a bit confused about an emergency contact number ... all parents have my home & mobile numbers ...

for whose emergency do they need another number?

their emergency they just call me on my numbers

my emergency, they won't know there is an emergency unless one of my emergency people contacts them!


i am very wary of giving other people my emergency contacts phone numbers as i have had parents in the past who assumed that meant they WOULD look after her child if i couldn't! and got stroppy when i wouldn't give their numbers!

I was wondering whose emergency too. Any one shed any light on this please? :panic:

[jumpinjen]

I'm taking it that it means should the parent become ill or be involved in an accident at work etc and be unable to get to you to collect etc.... I have addressed this requirement in my parent info pack by adding my phone number and a reminder to ensure they have it available at all times should they need to contact me in an emergecny!:D Jen x

[sandy64]

thanks sarah almost done just need to do my obs sheets not sure how do we need to put characterist of learning on them? also need to find away for my parents to share info do they have to write it or can i after being verbally told? your ebook was fab:)

[tammys-tots]

I was wondering whose emergency too. Any one shed any light on this please? :panic:

i think it means your mobile and house number. i only give mine and co childminders numbers out thats enough.