We are in the news again.

**custardcream** · 20-08-2008, 01:24 PM

Dont know if any of you have seen this, but I thought it made interesting reading.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/...on/7570035.stm

**mimo** · 20-08-2008, 01:32 PM

Glad the goverment doent feel its a burden perhaps they should spend as long as we all seem to to get the paper work done !. Its interesting to read the comments from people at the bottom many parents seem to think its turning us into nurseries and taking away their choice.Makes you wonder who exactly wants the obs and targets of the eyfs except for the goverment.

**kellyg** · 20-08-2008, 01:41 PM

I agree, I have been so stressed with everything, esp as I yet to have my 1st inspection - here is what I sent to the BBC:

I became a registered minder in Jan 08, it was a huge shock to me that I have to do all of this planning, observations and general paperwork. I took this job up to care for my daughter and give children a fun and go with the flow style of care and I feel that vision has diminished. Also, am I to observe my own daughter, plan for her and decide if she is reaching her milestone, no way, I know when she achieves something and is most importantly happy and they children I care for are too. However, in order to comply with Ofsted I now have to use ample paper, ink, folders and not to mention time (none of which fit in to my 'green' category) to ensure I get the grade I feel I deserve...it stinks and to be honest so long as the children are healthy, happy and enjoy their time with me and so long as the parents are 100% happy with the care I provide I will not stress about EYFS, its not worth putting the pressure on myself.

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 20-08-2008, 03:31 PM

Sorry to disagree with a lot of childminders but I think that the EYFS is new and that is why everyone is panicking. No one likes change but I believe that this change is for the better and children will benefit from it.

We all groaned when Birth-3 came in but we are used to it now. The Foundation Stage as been around for ages.

EYFS is a combination of both Birth-3 and Foundation Stage and no more so what is wrong with it?

Give it a go.

Debbie

**barbarella68** · 20-08-2008, 03:43 PM

We disagree with it Debbie because it puts further strain on our relationships with our families.I did this job to fit in with my family not for my family to fit in with my childminding.Quite often on here I hear that people regularly stay up to the early hours.

**cloud9** · 20-08-2008, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by barbarella68

We disagree with it Debbie because it puts further strain on our relationships with our families.I did this job to fit in with my family not for my family to fit in with my childminding.Quite often on here I hear that people regularly stay up to the early hours.

I have to say i agree i am not opposed to the EYFS because i dont think it is that different to what i am already doing but what i do disagree with is the fact i now have twice as much paperwork which either has to be done while minding (making the mindees lose out) or done in our own time (making our own children miss out) and i dont think this has been considered.

**kindredspirits** · 20-08-2008, 04:12 PM

i think we should have to 'follow' eyfs, not PROVE we're doing it. i've never had an inspection in birth 2 3 but presumably you just had to tell ofsted what you were doing instead of producing a pile of paperwork. ah well, i suppose we'll get used to doing it as we go!

no point crying over spilt milk!

**Trouble** · 20-08-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by barbarella68

We disagree with it Debbie because it puts further strain on our relationships with our families.I did this job to fit in with my family not for my family to fit in with my childminding.Quite often on here I hear that people regularly stay up to the early hours.

i have to agree with you i only start this as i like arts and crafts

**Jules27** · 20-08-2008, 07:48 PM

Makes very interesting reading. Good to see from the comments that most people are actually against it... parents and childminders alike. One comment I did like was 'the clue is in the job title.. childminder - not child teacher' It would seem most parents think like I do, the reason for sending a child to a childminder is so they are in a home environment, if they wanted a nursery, they would go there instead.

Some of the childminders near me are thinking of starting a petition, don't think it will get them very far but would be willing to sign it!!!

**Tasha M** · 20-08-2008, 08:00 PM

I've been pretty much stressing about the EYFS since it all came about...now the time is upon us to offcially start I'm just going to do what I do and if ofsted aren't that impressed...down grade me...as long my children adn parents are happy then i know i'm doing a good job.

It would also make our lives alot easier if Ofsted actually told us what they want and how they want it to look would clear up alot of headaches...but that of course is asking too much!

**Schnakes** · 20-08-2008, 08:24 PM

I think that its interesting that alot of childminders are quitting because of the EYFS. It almost seems to me like its a protest quit rather than...Ive tried this thing and I hate it.

I agree that the extra paperwork is a pain in the bum and I wish that somewhere in all those reems and reems of paper Ofsted have sent us there is a clear definition of what is expected of us. HOWEVER! I think that if you are doing a good job with the kids then none of this should be a problem becuase (as they keep telling us!) - its what we are doing anyway!!

I used to go to childminders when I was growing up - the main reason I became one myself...and they were awful. Not a nightmare, no abuse etc...but we never did anything. We were given a room full of toys and left to our own devices. I think its great that the government are pushing for better standards. I do think some of is a bit much (and come on - that childminder in the piece who phoned the parents about coming home to see the first step?? That was just silly. That had nothing to do with the EYFS imo.), and alot of it is far more applicable to nursieries and not to childminders and that should be recognised...but apart from that...I really cant see why people are quitting over it before they've even tried it.

Sx

**Rubybubbles** · 28-09-2008, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by rascal

i have to agree with you i only start this as i like arts and crafts

ekk bit of a difference to just arts and craft then lol!!

what about all the planning for it

**Blaze** · 28-09-2008, 01:40 PM

I notice one of our members comments is on there!

**Pauline** · 28-09-2008, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Blaze

I notice one of our members comments is on there!

and they didn't even mention the forum

**Rubybubbles** · 28-09-2008, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Blaze

I notice one of our members comments is on there!

which one

**barbarella68** · 28-09-2008, 02:14 PM

I take it you mean little old me.
They caught me when I was having a temper tantrum about policies and observations,so I vented my thoughts to them.
My husband rang me from work and said guess what your on the BBC.
He thought it was someone else with the same name.LOL,but no it was me

**barbarella68** · 28-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Oh and Pauline by the way I apologise I didn't mention the forum,but unfortunately my mind was on Policies and observations and I was in a pickle but I promise if anything similar comes my way I will mention the forum.

**Rubybubbles** · 28-09-2008, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by barbarella68

Oh and Pauline by the way I apologise I didn't mention the forum,but unfortunately my mind was on Policies and observations and I was in a pickle but I promise if anything similar comes my way I will mention the forum.

hehe

**Ripeberry** · 28-09-2008, 04:11 PM

What would OFSTED do if you DIDN'T do any planning or only did observations once a month but at the same time made sure you were really good on the health and safety and policies side.
What is the worst they can do?
Close you down because you did not produce copious amounts of paperwork?
If you can prove that the children have not been put in danger and were still enjoying themselves, it's just that you couldn't be bothered with EYFS is that
sufficient to close you down?

**emmadines** · 28-09-2008, 05:11 PM

Ive just left a message although the grammer isnt fantastic I think they would get the idea!

after all, Im not a teacher and will not claim to be!

Ok. I am a newly registered child-minder. I did the icp course just before last Christmas. I chose childminding so that I could be a mum to my two children whilst working and earning money to put towards the ever increasing household bills so we can live a relatively normal life (not with credit cards etc)
I now find myself trying to juggle paperwork, polices and all the other bits now related to the EYFs with the housework, my family, mainly my two young children who have to share me now with other children. I think our own families require out time too.
I had already started doing the daily diary so that they parents know what they child have and haven’t been doing, what they have achieved etc so why do we need this extra form filling etc its unnecessary! I thought we were supposed to be a home for home not a school from home. If I wanted to directly teach I would have gone to work in a nursery but Id rather children learn through play.

awwww the grammers bad