EYFS

[crace]

Why oh why can't I wrap my head around this?? Please please help, what do I need to do for each child and what obs when, and what assessments when??

I feel bogged down and useless!

Crace - how long have you been minding? I found it very difficult to understand it until I got a couple of mindees. I didn't get systems that I was happy with for obs, planning and daily diaries until about 4-5 months in.

What is it you are getting stressed about hun?
Take a deep breathe and step back.
I bet you are doing what is required of you, you just need to organise your systems. Finding a system that works for you.

There is tons of advice and help over on
www.childmindingforum.co.uk

There is this lady (an outstanding childminder) who sells very reasonably priced e-books
www.knutsfordchildminding.co.uk/
(check the links at the top of her page)

that are really helpful and explanatory.

What I have in place:
every child has their own A4 ring binder and in this goes all their documentation (contracts etc)
Next a copy of the development matters statements so that I can mark off what they can do and link it to obs.
Obs get done as and when - not always with a photo, sometimes on a scrap of paper or a sticky label and it all goes in date order.
Once a term I summarise the information and make sure that i have highlighted out on the DM's.
any planning that is specific to the child goes into their folder.
pictures of their work
parental or child feedback
interaction and working with other professionals
any work they want me to keep

I then have a planning folder to keep the settings planning in.
again i review this - it helps me to highlight areas that I am perhaps missing (PSRN is my biggie)
I keep my continuous provision planning in there as well

and that is basically it.
My RA's go in Safer Food folder which also doubles as a 'minders diary' - recording significant events such as P bumped her head today refer to accident sheet
cleaned the toys

etc

hope some of that helps

crace do you want to email me I will send you some stuff.

Girls, yes thanks so so helpful. I know I am doing it, I just can't get my head around how to get it down.

Shoshe, email on way xx

Hope it helps