EYFS Review

[nannynick]

Does anyone know where the review document can be downloaded? I can't find it, yet it's being talked about in the news - so guess it must be readable somewhere.

I'm hunting too

Glad it's not just me not being able to find it. Google wasn't my friend this morning, it didn't locate the document.

v annoying

this is all I can find

ah there is says the review to be published next week

so what is the point of speculating in the press about what it might entail

grrr grrr grrr

(I hate being outta the loop)

www.education.gov.uk/tickellreview

I haven't checked it yet but this the link DFE sent me this morning. Wouldn't want you out of the loop BALD

heh heh heh

thanks, I'll have a squizz

Some really good bits in it esp about paperwork, and a good para (5.10) about how important it is to provide good support for CM's esp access to quality training & children's centres

makes for great reading!

oh oh oh and at 4.15

"I recommend that clear guidance is included in the EYFS about the amount of paperwork that should be kept in relation to risk assessments. I also recommend that practitioners should not have to undertake written risk assessments in relation to outings, but instead be able to demonstrate, if asked ? for example, by parents or during inspection ? the way they are managing outings to minimize any risk."

What we used to do then

wow, some really good stuff there, brilliant

thanks all

Bottom of page 5:

"Evidence shows that early identification of need followed by appropriate support is the most effective approach to tackling disadvantage and helping children overcome specific obstacles to learning. For this reason I am recommending the introduction of a requirement for practitioners to provide to parents and carers, a short summary of their child?s communication and language, personal, social and emotional, and physical development between the age of 24-36 months. Ideally, this should be shared with health visitors, where the timing is right, to allow the professional knowledge of early years
practitioners to inform the health visitor led health and development review at age 2."

So whilst saying that Ofsted should not be asking to see overly detailed records, there is an addition of producing a summary (wonder how long that should be).

10.30pm and still reading!!

Nannynick, with the emphasis on the reduction of paperwork and the use of the words "short summary" I would say a page or two at most? Guessing, I know. But whose to say that some practitioners will into reams and reams......

who's to say, of course

That evidence at the bottom of page 5 ... they can have a copy of my termly report and live with it.

Also page 5:

"To improve the accessibility of the framework for parents and
practitioners, I recommend that for any revised EYFS and guidance, the Government seek a plain English crystal mark." - that would be nice, wouldn't it.... (although having read the whole of the report I'm more convinced she genuinely means this and has recommendations on how to do it which gives me hope!)

On the short developmental report and information sharing issues - "To overcome potential barriers around information sharing, I propose that an insert is included within the existing Red Book with the purpose of allowing parents and carers to enter this information and share it with other professionals." - seems a very sensible suggestion. She justifies the rationale behind this very well late in the report and even if it is 'extra' work it might save work in the long run.

I'm definitely for the restructuring the EY goals and the EYFS profile. It seems they've taken on board what people say and that should make it more accessible and less burdensome for practioners as well.

P7 "I am recommending that a new professional qualification is introduced that robustly combines practical experience with the development of expert knowledge." Is that not what EYPS was supposed to be?

"A small percentage of respondents to the call for evidence advocated making the EYFS a voluntary framework." - I wonder what % of those who thought that were CMs/non-nursery settings and what % of those people held that view (if that makes sense). I take the points she makes about why she won't recommend that, however.

2.18 - "I recommend the development of a high-quality
and interactive online version of the revised EYFS, with clear navigation to
help people find what they are looking for." Excellent move. I feel this will also make it easier for nannies who are interested in incorporating some elements of the EYFS to access it.

3.6 "I recommend that personal, social and
emotional development, communication and language and physical
development are identified as prime areas of learning in the EYFS." I also agree with this.

I find her comments on training for the EY workforce odd. She makes no reference at all the shiny new Diploma...

Annexes 4 & 5 seem very good - clear, comprehensive and IMO an improvement on the current guidance.

I also found this bit interesting:-

"2.14 Many have endorsed the broad approach set out in the EYFS, but have questioned what this means for their practice. I have heard several times the example of a child who is looked after by a childminder for two hours after being in nursery or school all day, who is tired and wants to sleep. In circumstances like this, I agree it is neither feasible or desirable to try and fit in activities that cover all of the areas of learning that are included in the EYFS ? and indeed I believe that trying to do this would go against the principle of the unique child, which recognises that each child is different."

It goes on to say:-

"For example, these providers should not be put in a position where they feel it necessary to complete inappropriate records, detracting from the quality of support for children. Nor should they be expected to provide the same breadth of support for learning and development as full time nursery or school settings."

I get the feeling that this means that although we are still supposed to ensure that children have plenty of activities etc provided, that we no longer have to go down the paperwork route of learning journeys/planning etc for these children, and that as long as during inspection you show you cater for the children's individual needs, expectations on paperwork won't be as high....

I really hope so this has been a real issue with me with 5 EYFS children coming to me less that 6 hours a week (and having to feed them dinner) their paperwork has been the hardest.

NurseryWorld are reporting that the timescale for changes is along the lines of - new EYFS publication November 2011. Implementation Sept 2012.

Damn! I am due for inspection in June 2012!! (unless they come knocking on my door earlier because I have moved house recently!)

I wonder if you could be 'working towards' implementation on the bits you don't like of the current setup?!

Good point, Snap. Hmmm worth thinking about.