Cm & eyfs paperwork - what's the bare minimum?

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

If Ofsted came knocking on my door tomorrow (& I wasn't bothered about getting outstanding) what would be the basics I should have for an under 5? I'm massively behind on my paperwork & have a day off tomorrow so want to tackle it but start with the bare minimum and go from there

I have always done a daily dairy but learning journals (since September ) need tackling or should I just forget last year & start a new one from Jan? thankfully I have been taking photos & can add observations & link to various areas of learning so at least that will be current. I'm thinking next on the list should be some sort of termly assessment/parental feedback or are next steps & planning more important?

Arghhhhh why have I let it slip for so long. Oh, I know: busy looking after the children

risk assesments
Safe guarding including register, permission forms, medicine record, incident&accident book. Emergency contact numbers.
Display your ofsted certificate
Up to date qualifications
Records of children's development
Monthly and yearly planning

All of these are minimum requirement. Depending on how well you do them will increase/decrease your overall grading

CMs no longer have to do written risk assessments, or monthly and yearly planning, although you do need to show evidence of individual planning and next steps.
You must have attendance records up to date.
You don't have to do daily diaries,although Ofsted are hot on working in partnership with parents.
You don't have to have tons of policies-there are a few you do need but the rest is up to you.
Have a look at the EYFS-it'll tell you in there what you need

I wouldn't back date learning journals to last year, start at January or even easter and just make a really good job on keeping them up to date.

I'd say planning was more important than assessing, IMO. not sure why I think that though. Try to include plans for each childs next steps, ofsted think that's quite important to link to their learning journal next steps.

Agree. Start from Easter. Written information is not mandatory, but is a good way to show Ofsted what you're doing. There are a few things like the 2 yr assessment to share with the health visitor etc. if you can show a good understanding of where the child is in EYFS , what the parents feel and what the next steps are, that should be ok but easier to demonstrate to Ofsted if it's all written down

I keep my photos and observations in a word document which I email parents once a term. No paper file.

Thanks everyone. I'm up to date on all my official paperwork like RA, policies etc it's just the bloody EYFS stuff I've let slip. I had a good blitz last night & using my photos as a prompt have managed to back date observations with links to eyfs since January for 1 child & done a termly assessment so I can at least send those to mum after the weekend. I need to look at next steps & some planning before I'm back on top of it but feeling a lot more positive (& less terrified should Ofsted come knocking ). Much appreciated,

I was ofsteded in January and was in a similar position.

I spent a weekend doing folders, weekly observations based on photos with next steps. The inspector was very interested in these along with my planning, which I do half termly. She also asked for my ILP for each child.

It was a tough inspection, 4 and a half hours long where she went through everything. She asked to see a planned activity and asked me to asses it saying what had been successful and where I'd improve. Then an unplanned child led activity which she again asked me to assess. Questioned me in the whole EYFS.

She wanted to make sure I knew my job and my children. Must have done ok because I got a good!

Don't childminder's read the EYFS themselves? It is our Salutatory Document that we are Regulated by and we should know it very very well. It has everything we need to know in it. We do not have to have:

Written Risk Assessments

Daily Diaries

Learning Journals

Any form of written planning

Fire Blankets

Visitors Books

You do not have to display your PLI Cert, First Aid Cert or any other cert or poster.

Written Polices for EYFS though we do have to have some Polices for Safeguarding mainly and it easier to show parents and Ofsted if it is written down. Same goes for LJs.

You do not have to have menus with all the 14 Allergens listed on them

You DO have to demonstrate that you know where each child is in terms of development and their next steps.

You are legally obliged to carry out Two Year Checks and share them with parents it is then up to the parent if they choose to share it with the Health Visitor we do not send it direct to the HV This is the only compulsory EYFS document we have to do.

You have to display your Ofsted Cert

You have to display your Employer's Public Liability Cert if you have a Registered Assistant even if you don't pay them.

It is advised that you have Evacuation Plan on the wall.

There are a lot of things we may all choose to do to help the smooth running of our businesses maybe so we can better so parents and Ofsted. That is our choice but it should not be confused and considered a requirement.

Hope this helps to clarify. I also advise you go through Eyfs with a highlighter and mark the most important things.

Sorry meant to say STATUTORY not Salutatory!

Hi I was ofsteded yesterday - was SO behind with learning journals etc ( nonexistent !) and shitting myself!! however I proved I sent regular photos, texts, whatsup messages and photos etc to parents-I said that I found it an easier and quicker way to keep parents updated and they could print any photos themselves and they were ok with that- they asked about safeguarding- working in partnership with parents, links with other settings, special needs, don't try and blag it cos they want evidence lol!! They also want to see independence- let kids help prepare dinner, chop fruit, serve selves, pour out own drinks etc. also update you sef- I had not done one and was up till 3 am doing a very basic one (wish I'd prepared more as there was so much I left out and could of sold myself more)- I have provisionally got a good and was more than happy with that! ...Also prepare now and talk to kids like u having an inspection- " let's wash our hand because ...." "What do u think will happen next?" Good luck!