For the first time there are now two versions of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, one aimed at childminders and one for group and school-based early years providers.
The changes follow the Department for Education consultation held last year.
Childminders will no longer have to complete EYFS training before they register, but will still ‘be required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the EYFS’.
A’ myth-busting’ Q & A on the Foundation Years website, which is funded by the DfE, says that the Government wants prospective childminders to gain the required understanding of the EYFS in a way ‘that best suits their needs.
It states, ‘We know that some applicants have existing knowledge, such as from previous careers in nurseries or as a childminder’s assistant, or they may prefer independent learning.
‘The requirement for applicants to demonstrate that they understand and can implement the EYFS will continue to be tested in the same way at the pre-registration visit – the Department is simply providing more flexibility around how they can acquire this knowledge. Childminders will continue to be required to undertake training in child protection and paediatric first aid and will still be able to undertake EYFS training if they need or want to.’
Other changes for childminders include flexibilities so that:
- where judged appropriate by a childminder, childminding assistants can now fulfil the role of a key person for children (Section 3, Key person)
- childminders with open plan kitchen-living areas can now utilise safely useable areas within this room for their provision (Section 3, Indoor space requirements)
- childminders may provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in play and learning, previously this requirement stated this ‘must’ be done (Section 1, English as an Additional Language.
In updates to safeguarding policies further information has been provided in the framework on safeguarding responsibilities when childminders are working in a group, including a change on child protection language.
Safeguarding policies and procedures at a setting include all electronic devices with imaging and sharing capabilities, not just mobile phones and cameras, and childminders may wish to consider including a wider range of devices in policies, such as smart watches.
Updates in the EYFS for childminders also include:
- a change in language to clarify that physical evidence does not need to be collected for assessments.
- the section on assessment has been significantly amended
- the Early Learning Goals has been moved to the annex, as childminders do not usually need to use these
- the wording has been changed on ‘suitable person’ to clarify that it is the responsibility of the childminder agency or Ofsted to carry out suitability checks on behalf of the childminder
- the wording has been changed on ‘confidential areas’ so rather than having a permanent area available, a suitable area is made available on request
- the requirement for childminders to display a paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate has been removed, instead these are available on request
- a physical copy of the certificate of registration is no longer required to be displayed, a digital version can be used instead.
A summary of the changes for childminders is available here
The updated statutory guidance for childminders and those working in group and school-based settings is available here
Early years qualifications
A new document has also been published setting out early years qualifications requirements and standards.
This document sets out the minimum qualification requirements that staff must meet to be recognised as level 2, level 3 or level 6 members of staff for the purpose of working within the EYFS staff:child ratios. Providers must refer to these requirements to determine at which level a member of staff can be included in the staff:child ratios.
This document also sets out the criteria that Early Years Practitioner (level 2) and Early Years Educator (level 3) and other qualifications of level 4 or higher must meet to be recognised as full and relevant by the Department for Education.
Changes include removing the requirement for practitioners to hold a GCSE in maths to count in Level 3 ratios. More information on the regulatory changes, which we have previously covered, is available here.
