Why you can cut down on your EYFS Paperwork immediately!

Every childminder or nursery should read this article to see why they are probably creating far too much paperwork in their setting, after reading this article you will see how a Baby's Days system can save you hours every week with your paperwork.

In 2008 the EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage was launched, every childminder and nursery in the UK must follow the guidelines set out by the EYFS.

The EYFS causes great concerns regarding the amount of paperwork that each setting must complete and keep to ensure they comply with the EYFS, these concerns, in most instances, are unnecessary as Roger Shippam, the Director of children at OFSTED stated back in 2008 when the EYFS was launched.

He stated that during an inspection they expect to see the documents required by the EYFS. Regulations have changed with the introduction of the EYFS, but overall the requirement for paperwork has not, the few written documents childminders are required to have were required previously under the National Standards, they include a record of medication, accident records and details needed to care for individual children.

• He also stated that childminders are expected to explain what their policies are to parents and any assistants, some childminders find it easier to have this information for parents in writing, while others choose to explain their policies in conversation, OFSTED may check during an inspection whether parents are aware of the childminder's policies, but OFSTED would not necessarily expect to see written documents.

Use the Baby's Days Policy section on the system to show OFSTED this. You can show them all of your Policies, show them the Policies that have been assigned to individual children, in addition you can show them that parents have read, agreed to and digitally signed their acceptance of your Policies.

• Inspectors do not expect childminders to have extensive written plans to show how they deliver their educational program, but they do expect them to know what children can do and where they need extra help and support to move to the next step.

Use the Baby's Days Next Steps notes on the system to show OFSTED this. You can simply and quickly create Next Steps for any child on the system, these will then be displayed within each individual child's ILP - Next Steps section where you can see how you are noting the child's developmental needs, you can then assign these notes to an Individual Learning Plan for the child.

• Many childminders will find it helpful to note down what they intend to do, especially if they have a number of children at different stages in their development. This will help childminders to show parents and others how they meet the requirement to plan and provide experiences that ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development environment.

Use the Baby's Days Medium and Short Term planning sections on the system to show OFSTED this, you can create plans for months and weeks for groups of children and in addition use each child's Next Step notes to create Individual Learning Plans for them.

• The EYFS also requires everyone, including childminders, to undertake systematic observations as part of their assessment of children. Inspectors do not expect observations to involve long written notes - it is important that childminders spend their time working with children. Simple mental or written notes of what children can do will suffice, and these can form part of the assessments childminders carry out and and share with parents.

Use the Baby's Days Progress notes within the Progress section to show OFSTED this, you can add observations for each child within their Progress section and in addition link them to a Development Matter within an Aspect of an Area of Learning ie: CD, CLL, PD etc. You can also upload photographs and link these to a Development Matter. In addition the Progress section can be shared with the parents when they connect to your system to view their child's information.

• There is no need, either, for childminders to carry out comprehensive written assessments. They can use the sort of methods the best childminders have used for some time to focus on children's well-being and development - samples of children's work, photographs, shared diaries, information sheets and so on.

Use the Baby's Days Progress notes and Progress photographs within the Progress section and use the Daily Diaries and upload photographs to the diary to show OFSTED this, these notes clearly show the child's current developmental level and in addition are linked to an Area of Learning / Aspect / Development Matter within the EYFS. Daily Diaries and Progress notes can be viewed any time the parent logs in to your system to see their child's information.

• Unless childminders are the main provider of the EYFS to children in the term before they reach statutory school age, then this is all OFSTED expect. If they are the main provider of the EYFS, the law requires them to complete the EYFS profile for those children.

Use the Baby's Days Assessment Scales to provide year 1 teachers and parents with reliable and accurate information about each child's level of development as they reach the end of the EYFS. This will enable the teacher to plan an effective, responsive and appropriate curriculum that will meet all children's needs, to support their continued achievement more fully. Various Development Matters within the Progress section are linked with their Development Matter within the Assessment Scales, therefore, as you add an achievement date to a child's Development Matter in the Progress section the same date will be added to the related Development Matter in the child's Assessment Scales allowing you to complete these quickly and efficiently to pass on to the child's year 1 teacher.

This is why Baby's Days helps you cut down on your paperwork, now that you are fully aware of what is expected from you, you can see more clearly how the Baby's Days system will help you within your setting, spend just a few hours a week on your Baby's Days system and you will be able to show OFSTED exactly what they need in a simple, clear and organised format.