Cm Club: So if ..'if' ..Labour are out and cons are in, what does that mean for us cm's?

[PinkChick]

is cameron scrapping all tax credits, free nursery places etc?..how will parents be able to afford childminders?...things are bad enough at the minute but this is another huge worry! 8-(

What makes you think Cameron is scrapping all tax credits? I think he said just for those earning over 50k?

My hope (for your sake) is that the cons get rid of all this rediculous EYFS beaurocracy you now have to do.

And, hopefully, the cons will reduce taxes so that parents can better afford childcare, and therefore can afford to continue to work.

I'd assume funding for children's centres will be greatly reduced or they'll be closed to save money, as I use them lots.

Oh and I think it'd be a huge shame to get rid of the EYFS - yes it can seem complicated at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes embedded into your way of working and it ensures children's progress is being mapped and that appropriate targets are being set for them.

Also, I feel that having the same 'curriculum' across schools/nurseries/CMs means that parents (and public in general) respect CMs more - before many people seemed to feel we were just babysitters.

Really? I was under the impression that childminders overwhelming hated EYFS.

AS a parent, I'm not particularly interested in EYFS. And I'm certainly not prepared to pay anyone to spend time doing it.

So, it will be interesting to see how this changes.

the obs and assessment parts of eyfs are v useful tools

the stupidity of having to do masses of other paperwork viz risk assessments/annual self evaluation form submitted to ofsted etc is the pain in the arse

Strix, understand your point but if you pay for any type of childcare(except a nanny) then you will allready be paying for someone to do it.

I think cuts will be made in all areas, ofsted, playworkers, e.y.f.s. coordinators, youth workers and childrens centres...

not sure how this will affect cms.. personally, as a cm, I am taking calls every week for people desperate for places.

the recession is sending women back to work in droves.

agree with Boys.. assessments and obs fine, risk assessments for every thing under the sun are plain silly and cant be arsed to do the sef.. just cant face it tbh..

Mmmm... even risk assessments though - think its important to do them and having them written makes you think about it (and is a record that you've done so). Agree that signing to say you've done them each day could be got rid of!

I am wondering if the Tories will slim down or remove the mandatory nature of EYFS.

Just going back to Strix' comment - not all childminders hate EYFS. There are many who are getting on really well with it and I believe its a good thing to have a common approach across all sectors. Childminders should be proud of what they do - its raised our professional status somewhat!

The inspection results show some excellent findings with a good percentage getting goods or outstandings.

many childminders have struggled with the inital set up of paperwork and then the understanding of obs cycle and planning, which all contributes to the learning and development of children and I a sorry but if you are working with children then surely you should have a good understanding or working knowledge of how children learn and develop.

EYFS is a good tool. Parents do not 'pay' for the time to do it as it's usualy done in the CM's own free time.
At first I could not make sense of it, but once you use it everyday it makes good sense and I would not be without it now

OK, I stand corrected. I see you guys don't mind EYFS.

Well I don't like the EYFS. I am more than capable of caring for children, helping them to learn and develop, without having to document it.

I totally agree ThePrisoner - I would have so much more free time with my own family and to do things I've been meaning to do for ages.

All my free time seems to be taken up by paperwork - just spent part of yesterday and will have more to try to do some today. I don't do any planning work as such just diaries and observations, risk assessments etc. but even that takes time in between seeing to my three, tidying up, washing, cleaning, etc. the list goes on!

You can tell I don't like the EYFS either.

I would rather it be more of a guidance document.

As ripeberry pointed out we do most of it in our own time - but surely thats not good . I think if they encourage training, (I guess NVQ3 will be a minimum requirement soon) regular inspections, parental feedback, you can tell if children are developing and thriving in any environment, without the need to prove it. Lets face it if you are good at paperwork you can "fake" a lot of it with well placed photos. The tons of paperwork which I do now only destroys trees, and the local schools basically disregard what I do. And according to the Open Eye Campaign even reception teachers are struggling with the EYFS, and think of all the support they get (and most are degree educated)

I have had lots of part-timers and the paperwork has been suffocating. I have been in tears many times sitting late at night trying to get it all done after working 11 hours. I have never minded doing it for the parents, after all they are the ones paying me, but to double up for OFSTED....

After 2 and a half years of looking after siblings, with lots and lots of development planning, documentation, I am due an inspection soon and had lots and lots of wonderful evidence, only to have the family leave and emigrate to Australia taking it all with them....bugger

thebody..we're in different worlds at the minute as im losing children in droves ...seems everyone is getting made redundant/having hours reduced etc..i need some good fortune and if cameron is and and he does start changing things then it will be for the worse from the little i know