I think the EYFS is an excellent and comprehensive document.
It makes inspiring and interesting reading, with helpful resources and references for further reading.
All the parents of my minded children love getting photos.
Observations are made all the time naturally.
It would be neglectful not to be observing the children in my care.
I need to observe them to keep them safe and to notice their new words/skills/ideas/play/emotions etc etc
Take the word 'Observation' and imagine it means 'Caring For' instead
Paperwork doesn't have to be massive. Anyone would think we were drowning under it by the way some childminders talk.
Transferring visual obs to written ones is a new skill for some people, but isn't hard to learn. KatyMac gave some examples of how simple it can be on another thread.
Policies once written just need periodical review.
Ditto Risk Assessments.
A daily register is quick to fill in.
Accounts can be fiddly, but that's the same for all self-employment.
Daily diaries often repeat information that can be recorded more easily by having a different system.
Pre printed accident/pre-existing injury/meds forms only need a quick description and a signature.
Fire Drills aren't that frequent and again don't take up more than a form to fill in.