Nick is right. I became a childminder in 2001 and some childminders did panic at the unknown, and some did leave. But many experienced childminders aren't going to be pushed out of doing the job we love and will tackle each challenge head on. I don't know anyone who is leaving because of the EYFS. The EYFS has already been revised due to concerns we raised - they wanted to stop us from administering non-prescribed medicines, for example. Our objections were heard and the word "prescribed" has been removed.
I think the childminder on womans hour represents a very small minority. I was disappointed that she doesn't want to be a professional. Many childminders consider ourselves to be professional. I don't think being a professional stops you from being an "auntie" figure from a child's point of view. However, her fears are common amongst childminders. This has not been helped by the fact that some childminders have not been able to access training and some training across the country has been extremely uninformative and delivered by people who know nothing of childminding and had insufficient knowledge of the EYFS.
The Womens Hour got a few things wrong anyway. The food hygiene law has been in place since Jan 06 and isn't being brought in with EYFS. The requirement to record accidents/incidents is already in place. Thats in the childminders' own interest as much as anything else - not having these records would mean you don't have any defence against accusations like all your mindees having a bruise because you were running round with a wooden spoon. Working alone makes you vulnerable.
There is a lot of confusion about whats expected from childminders in terms of observations and assessments. The FAQ on teachernet.gov.uk says we dont HAVE to have written policies and procedures or write observations. But I feel it will be very difficult to prove to Ofsted that we meet the requirements of EYFS if we don't have any written evidence.
Childminders working alone cannot take time out to write notes as they have noone to handover responsibility for supervising activities, behaviour management, help in wc etc to. So what is being suggested is to keep a notebook in your pocket, postits round the room etc to make the odd note as things happen. Which leaves giving up time in the evening or weekend to type/write it up in a format suitable to give to parents and show Ofsted.
I see this as an extension of the diary system I've already got. But I'm not going to go overboard with the notes at the expense of the quality of care I provide. Parents choose childminders because they want a loving, family home-from-home experience for their child. We're often viewed as an extended family member. Most parents don't want school-type reports and rigid curriculums. But when you look at the EYFS closely, I don't think thats what its all about. Its not making children reach impossible targets. Its about moving away from a class/group plan and taking a good look at each child as an individual. Understanding what they are doing, how they are learning and how the practitioner can support each child's needs. And thats exactly what every childminder I know is doing already.
Its the getting it down on paper that presents the challenge.