Early Years Foundation Stage - Anyone doing training?

[Mum2Luke]

Have just finished the 2nd part of my EYFS training and the general feeling is we cms are getting fed up with the likes of OFSTED forcing us childminders to do more paperwork.

We look after the children, take them to tots groups and do activities when time allows, we feed them and give them all the love they need so why more? We are not paid to do observations and assessments, nursery nurses are and if they wanted that the parents would use them, but they choose us because we have a home from home environment and family atmosphere.

Tonight they were saying OFSTED may mark us down if we don't make files, take endless photos and do obs. I look after a 20 month old and a 4yr old, I am losing the baby as his mum is having a baby and not returning to work and the 4 yr old is at school all day. I've not had a phone call for minding for months, I'm going to have to give up and look for part-time work. I have an NVQ Level 3 but cannot fill places as I am in competition with 3 private nurseries in close proximity (within 1 mile) to my house. I want to do all this but when I've no kids in the day I don't go to tots as there's no point.
Am going to look for a job in a creche/nursery as a bank nursery nurse that fits in with my own 5 yr old child.

[ThePrisoner]

Oh, how I agree ... where shall I start ...

[vixma]

I have to agree, Ofsted are a pain in the butt as the people observe you in a false enviroment as when they come in i feel that paper work and targets are more important than the childcare than you deliver. More paperwork seems to be in place han focusing on caring on the children you should be caring for. I work in a school and as a childminder and the time filling in paperwork seriously interfers with the time I have to spend with the kids which is really annoying. I wish they could come up with an assessment which does not interfere with the care given to the children.

[vixma]

Just to also explain, my spelling is appauling due to being on a laptop so, sorry.

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Totally agree and what I don't understand is the photo bit for obs - what if parents don't sign to let you?? - I've had this before!!!

[waves at TP as I miss her and often wonder where she's got to]

[ThePrisoner]

[waves back at looney]

[Megsdaughter]

THE PRISONER where *HAVE you been !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ThePrisoner]

... doing my paperwork ...

[Megsdaughter]

Are you still alive in thereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[ThePrisoner]

... probably not!

I've been reading through my EYFS pack, have attended a briefing session and, although I know that this new system is (technically) better as it draws everything together ... well ... I just totally and utterly despair of what I am now being asked to do.

I have prided myself on being a good childminder for years, and have dutifully produced everything we have been asked to do, and more. I do daily diaries, always chat to parents at the end of the day, do monthly newsletters, give parents photos ... but this isn't enough for the new system!

I started making a list of how much of my own "free" time I spend on childminding-related work (bills, newsletters, accounts, committee meetings, mentoring, planning, courses and training, general paperwork, extra paperwork for network). It has really got me down. None of it makes me a better childminder.

I still come onto MN every day, but really don't have the enthusiasm to be enthusiastic-enough to post!

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Oh TP, it's got silly hasn't it!!! I've just booked myself onto the briefing session on Tuesday night, it's my week off but I've got to go sometime! Not done any training yet - dreading it! Do you think we should start a petition??? I don't know one person who actually thinks all of this is a good thing and makes us better childminders! I'm not sure if you've heard my news but as a result, I'm looking at getting an assistant for mid next year but I'm very worried about how much this new EYFS stuff will entail and that it may put potential assistants off?

{{{ hugs }}} as you sound very fed up!

[Megsdaughter]

Im dreading it, I intend to retire in a few yeasr (its shosh by the way) but I am wondering if that day may come quicker.

I love Childminding always have but Ofsted will close more and more of us down by the paperwork.

When will they realise this?

When we have no Childminder left!

[Katymac]

EYFS won't be in until sept next year - so you should be OK Looney

[hennipenni]

I've been to a briefing session and came back thinking about yet more paperwork, how you have to show what outcomes are gained through the activities that we do. I have got myself in a tizz about all the new headings/outcomes blah de blah de blah. The only positive thing that came out of it to me is that we actually do most of it ourselves anyway it just needs tweeking a little when being recorded. We did quite a bit on planning using photos etc but not alot about observations.

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

I know katy but I may want to have assistant for a few months which by my calcs means be here when it all first starts!

[Katymac]

WHen is your next inspection due?

Mine is Nov 08 & I am well scared as I should have 2 months of 'stuff' by then

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Well around Oct 08 I THINK!

[Katymac]

All they will expect at that stage is an overview & a committment to attend (or have attended) courses

You know me tho' - I stress about everything (also I think OFSTED will mark me harshly because of getting Outstanding last time iyswim)

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

I always stress too I do understand though, it must be great to get an outstanding but then you don't want to loose it!

[Katymac]

They have said that even if I am the same as I was last time - I will only get 'good'.

In order to get O/S again I will have to be better than I was in all areas - that is so scarey

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

I totally disagree with them. You should be outstanding based on your setting etc. and not based on what you were doing before, seems so unfair

[hennipenni]

Katy, one of our minders (network-very good, always up to midnight doing paperwork etc etc) had a trial inspection for the new framework, she got a good whereas she got an outstanding in her "proper" inspection. She said it would be bloody hardwork to get an outstanding.

[Megsdaughter]

my Inspector told me it didnt matter how good I was I wouldnt get a Outstanding from her, as she had nevr given one and nevr would, she believed there was alwasy something I could improve, and If she gave a Outstanding I wouldnt strive for that.!!!!!!

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Megd - you're not exactly gonna strive for it when told you'll never get it though!!!

[hennipenni]

Perhaps we oughht to start a petition asking that inspectors all work to the same guidelines, not to their individual whims.

[Katymac]

My previous inspector refused to inspect me, becasue she said she wouldn't be allowed to give me O/S

She asked her boss to inspect me (apparently)

It is so inconsistant and applied badly