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Changes to the EYFS For childminders.
‘The newly updated Childminder EYFS Framework’ applies to childminders both with, and without, domestic premises.
A new category of childminder.
A new category of childminder is being introduced from the 1st of November: Childminder without domestic premises, for childminders who work entirely from non-domestic premises. If you are already registered as a childminder this is less likely to affect you. However, if you are looking into registering as a childminder but have been unable to because you are unable to get permission to work from your home then this provides a good alternative.
There are three categories of childminder listed in the updated EYFS:
- Childminders already registered before the 1st of November 2024
- Childminders with domestic premises
- Childminders without domestic premises
(There are new legal definitions of all of these categories of childminder listed in the footnotes of the new EYFS.)
The EYFS for childminders is the document all of the above types of childminder MUST refer to. If you run childcare on domestic premises you should refer to the EYFS for group providers.
If you are currently a childminder and do not want to change your registration type you do not need to do anything.
Changes to how many assistants you can employ.
If you employ assistants, (or work with other registered childminders) from the 1st of November, you can now employ up to three assistants (it was previously two.) Remember, if this means you are increasing the number of children you are caring for you need to make sure you have enough floor space. You may also need to contact your Local Authority about applying for planning permission, as well as your insurance company to double check how many children you can be insured for.
Changes to the number of people required to register as childcare on domestic premises.
From the 1st of November if you want to work as childcare on domestic premises you need to work with five or more people. (If you are registered as Childcare on Domestic Premises before the 1st of November you can continue with four people.)
More flexibility for childminders to spend more time working outside domestic premises.
If you are a childminder you will be able to spend more time working off your domestic premises. Before you had to spend at least 50% of your time working from your domestic premises but now, as long as you work some of the time from your domestic premises you can work the rest of the time from somewhere else, for example a church hall.
Other changes:
There are quite a few changes in the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements section:
- The wording in section 3.3 of Section 3 – The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements has been changed:
from: Ensure the adults who have contact with children are suitable.
to: Ensure the people who have contact with children are suitable.
2) New information about policies has also been added to this section:
‘Childminders solely registered on the early years register or with an early years CMA are not required to have written policies and procedures. However, they must be able to explain their policies and procedures to parents, carers, and others (for example Ofsted inspectors or the CMA with which they are registered) and ensure any assistants10 follow them.’
This information is repeated shortly afterwards so I am not sure why it has been included here again as well!
3) The updated EYFS clarifies that you must have information in your safeguarding policies about action you will take if an allegation is made against, ‘The action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against anyone living, working or looking after children at the premises from which the childcare/childminding is provided.’ (EYFS Nov 2024)
Although it has always been a requirement to report allegations about anyone in your home the current EYFS only mentions childminders and assistants in this regard. This update makes this requirement more clear.
4) The requirement for you to be deemed suitable either by Ofsted of a childminding agency in order to become a childminder has been clarified by new wording in paragraph 3.10:
Childminders and any assistants must be deemed suitable by Ofsted or their CMA; (Nov 2024 EYFS)
This makes this requirement clearer as the current EYFS simply states:
‘Childminders and any assistants must be suitable’ (Jan 2024 EYFS)
5) Due to the introduction of the different sorts of childminders the wording of paragraph3.11 has also been updated to:
‘For childminders with domestic premises, every other person aged 16 and over living or working on any domestic premises where the childminding is being provided‘ (EYFS Nov 2024)
It will be interesting to see if they change their minds on this one again and include people working on non-domestic premises as I think this is something they have possibly missed!
6) Paragraph 3.13 has been updated to reinforce the requirement that suitability checks must be done by either Ofsted of the childminding agency.
‘Childminders must not allow anyone whose suitability has not been checked by Ofsted or their CMA’ (EYFS Nov 2024)
7) There have been minor changes to the wording about assistant skills.
From: Childminders are accountable for the quality of the work of any assistants and must be satisfied that assistants are competent to meet their roles and responsibilities. (Jan 2024 EYFS)
To: Childminders are accountable for the quality of the work of anyone working for them and must be satisfied that they are competent to meet their roles and responsibilities. (Paragraph 3.30 EYFS Nov 2024.)
8)) The updated EYFS clarifies the fact that all childminders must have a full and relevant paediatric first aid qualification. Again, this has always been the case but the new wording makes this more clear as the Jan 2024 EYFS for childminders just states thar someone with a paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times. The new wording states:
‘Childminders are required to have a paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate to register and must continue to hold this at all times that they are registered.’ EYFS Nov 2024
9)) New wording to the Nov 2024 EYFS clarifies that you must notify Ofsted or your childminding agency if you intend to provide overnight care. (Section 3.48 Nov 2024 EYFS.)
10) Extra information about who may be included in ratios has been added to the updated version of the EYFS:
‘Except in the case of apprentices, only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios and only if they are suitable, as in paragraphs 3.10 to 3.13. All staff under 17 should be supervised at all times).’ Section 3.49 EYFS Nov 2024
11) Special Educational Needs Requirements. The updated EYFS clarifies the fact that if you deliver funded places you must have regard to the SEND Code of Practice. This has always been the case but the new wording makes this more clear.
‘Childminders who are funded by the local authority to deliver early education places are required32 to have regard to the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice. Other childminders may find it helpful to familiarise themselves with the early years section of the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice.’ Section 3.60 EYFS Nov 2024
12) Addition to the information you must share with parents and/or carers. If you register as a childminder without domestic premises you must tell parents and/or carers that:
‘For anybody registered as a “childminder without domestic premises” – that they are not permitted to provide any provision under that registration from any domestic premises, which includes for the drop-off and/or collection of a child.’ Section 3.81 EYFS Nov 2024
13) Updates to changes you must inform Ofsted or your Childmindng Agency about:
From: In the address of the premises (and seek approval to operate from those premises where appropriate). (Jan EYFS)
To: In the address of the premises on which childcare is provided (and must obtain prior approval to operate from any non-domestic premises). (Nov EYFS)
14) Additional Information: A new footnote referring childminders to the: Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (legislation.gov.uk) has been added to the ‘Other Legal Duties’ section. (Section 3.87 November 2024 EYFS.)
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The Ultimate Childminding Checklist
Check you are up to date with all your childminding MUST do’s.
DO NOT PANIC about keeping up with changes. The Ultimate Childminding Checklist is an ESSENTIAL TOOL EVERY CHILDMINDER. It breaks down the EYFS requirements into manageable chunks to tick off with lots of helpful tips and guidance from experienced childminders about what to do for each point.
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