I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect when you open your glossy, shiny folder - shortly before it falls to pieces as you try to ram all the paper back inside!

Sarahx


This is the 'Statutory Framework'... the bits we have to do

What does it replace?

• The National Standards
• The Birth to 3 Matters framework
• The Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage
From September 2008, it will be statutory…. compulsory for every setting which cares for under 5s

The Statutory Framework - a walkthrough...

Section 1, pg07 - introduces the overarching aim of the EYFS which is to help children achieve the 5 Every Child Matters outcomes of –
• staying safe
• being healthy
• enjoying and achieving
• making a positive contribution
• achieving economic well-being (Childminders translate this bit as proving our 'organisation'

Section 2, pg11- sets out the learning and development requirements for the EYFS, covering –

• personal, social and emotional development;
• communication, language and literacy;
• problem solving, reasoning and numeracy;
• knowledge and understanding of the world;
• physical development;
• creative development

It emphasises that none can be delivered in isolation from the others and all must be delivered through planned, purposeful play with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities

Section 2 also lists the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) and explains assessment arrangements for children when they reach the age of 5

Section 3, pg19 – gives an overview of the welfare requirements which replace the current 14 standards –

• safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare;
• suitable people;
• suitable premises, environment and equipment;
• organisation and documentation

There are 3 sections for the welfare requirements and these are all listed from pg22 –

• general legal requirements which must be complied with;
• specific legal requirements which must be complied with;
• statutory guidance to which we should ‘have regard’

The welfare requirements also talks about risk assessments to ‘secure children’s safety at all times’

Section 4, pg41 – sets out other legal duties for providers

Appendix 1, pg44 – lists the assessment scales for the Early Learning Goals (ELGs)

Appendix 2, pg49 – talks about adult child ratios – the Childminder section is pg51, part B, 11 – 14

Glossary, pg52 – there is a full glossary of terms


There is/are also - cards (to help you link it all together), a cdrom with loads of links for extra reading, practice guidance to tell you how to do it all and a rather fetching poster which will look lovely displayed in your front porch!