CMs - UPDATE FROM OFSTED - 3.40 of Revised EYFS (change to 'variations' from Sept)

[looneytune]

As some of you know, I contacted Ofsted about this as it states in the revised EYFS that we can only care for siblings (actually says sibling 'babies' so they've also not covered if you want to take on an older sibling later, which I did once). I was not at all happy about this (as a lot of you won't be) as I know lots of people who will be affected by this if they currently have a variation in place (as these will all be removed - I'm presuming we're all getting new certs?)

Interestingly, a CM friend (from here) also asked the same question and got a totally different response to me (typical Ofsted!!). Her rubbish response was:

In response to your enquiry please be advised that from September 2012 conditions of registration for Early Years providers are proposed to change. Conditions will be removed from the registration certificate and it will be the responsibility of the provider to ensure that that they are meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

I was waiting to get the same and was going to fight that response as it's clear from the revised EYFS that they are only allowing sibling/own baby which is crazy. However, I got the following response......

^Thank you for your query regarding the revised Early Years Foundation Stage.

You ask about the removal of the criteria for continuity of care. I can confirm the revised EYFS does not explicitly mention continuity of care and would appear to prevent you having more children if a parent of a child already with you wanted to extend their hours.

The EYFS is not Ofsted's document. It is produced by the Department for Education and you may wish to check your understanding with colleagues there. We will also follow it up on your behalf and produce any additional guidance when we update our current factsheet on numbers and ages of children that childminders may have.^

I believe that 3.40 in the revised EYFS has been badly written as I can see no logical reason for not allowing the usual 'continuity of care' conditions.

I will update you when I hear more!

Well done looney

No probs, this sort of stuff infuriates me, it really does (and it doesn't even affect me as I don't need a variation, just seems utterly ridiculous and could have been worded so much better!!)

I spoke to ofsted this morning and was told that statement includes children who need to increase their hours/days to provide continuity of care.

fudgesmummy - see, we all get told something different. I never trust what I'm told on the phone as it's seriously got people in trouble before. Always have something backed up in writing as the Revised EYFS clearly specifies 'sibling babies' and 'childminder babies'. I'm not letting this drop until I have it clear in writing from them, at least they said they will take it further.

so so confusing, grrrrrrr

yes looney I agree I would be interested to know what they say-have you written to them yet?

I've written to my Early Years adviser to ask for advice/contact details for the best person to contact. Will keep you posted :)