CMs: How long do I need to keep my paperwork for?

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

I am preparing for my next inspection with a CM friend and we are wondering how long we need to keep documents like accident records or attendance sheets etc?

Forever!!

Until the child reaches 21 or thereabouts. I don't have the paperwork to hand but it is a long time.

I think it depends what you mean by paperwork. Attendance records and any accident or incident forms, as Nicknacks has said, forever. If I remember rightly accounts and anything you need to back up your accounts (invoices, receipts, mileage/journey records bank statements etc) it's about 8 years. But all the EYFS stuff, plans, diaries, learning journeys, photos, artwork, reports and assessments can go with the child or be destroyed when they leave.

I believe that learning journey's, artwork, photos, any observations are given to the parents, you used to have to complete a booklet, I'm afraid I've forgotten the name. For the parents to give to their child's school, as early years continues until the child is five. Your weekly and monthly plans until next inspection. All children,s personnel records, accident and incident records and registers until the child's 18 or 21. And as above accounts for 7 or 8 years, plus reciepts and invoices. I hope this ok, as ofsted rules and regulations are always changing.

21yrs 9 m - I think

Thank you, everyone, for all the replies!

I asked my NCMA coordinator this recently. She said until the "child" is 21 esp accident records in case the they want to sue me in later life!