0-3 or EYFS parents

[john]

Hi all

just had a parent today saying that she does not want her 3 year old being Observed for the 0-3 or the eyfs? as she said she get that in her nursery and its to much for her 3 year old.

Now i'm in a fix what do i do about this, if i do keep a record or a diary mum will have her say.

As anyone else had this and what did you do? another childminder had the same problem and did no obs. If i do no obs on this child what will ofsted say.

I had another parent saying to me i will not let a childminder do obs on my child. i think more and more parents will be asking for this when the eyfs comes in. If the child is in nursery or school is it the nursery or school to teach them not a childminder as we are here to look after their child not write as the child plays alone.

[glow=red,2,300]John. [/glow]

[sarahnev707]

Tell them you're not doing 'observations' as such - what you're doing is watching the children to see what they enjoy doing, so you can best plan for their needs.....which is good practice and what you've always done anyway....

How can you give them the activities etc that they like and need and will move them on if you don't watch what they are doing and what they like doing first?

Then when you've explained it to them, get parents to sign something that says - 'I do not want formal observations or assessments of my child to be carried out. I understand, however, that in order to do his job properly, John has to observe my child in a non-formal way, so that he can effectively plan for my child's future learning and development.'

Then do a scrap book of learning for each child, with photos and post it obs and assessments of learning, linking it to the EYFS areas of learning and development for the child's age and stage and show that to Ofsted as proof of observations!!!!

Sarahx

[mel]

Hi John
Never had this before but as usual Sarah has given great advice . Just get her wishes in writing

Mel x

[angeldelight]

Hi John

I do think more and more parents are going to be asking questions about this

I did have a parent earlier in the year who did not want observations made as such

I did a book about the child though and made it look like fun so " parents " could see just what their child does every week etc with pictures and some evidence of the activitys that we do

That way the parent does not realise that the child is actually being observed if you know what I mean

Angel xx

[susan]

I havent had this problem as yet but sure I will thanks for higlighting it John and for the advice from everone on how to deal with it, I will remember this for future reference xxx

[karalh]

Hello John

I went to an early years partnership meeting last week where a lady from ofsted gave a talk. (Divisional Manager for Children's Policy and Frameworks no less!) One of the things she said was that settings cannot opt out of EYFS but parents can opt their child out. When I mentioned this to my development worker last night she said the same also applies to Birth to Three. I think as long as you have something in writing from the parent you should be OK.

Kara

[rubybubbles]

It's a shame I do think parents use childminders as they like the home from hokme environment. When ever I get newbies they always seem surprised at just how much work we do

Good advice there Sarah! I do think as long as it looks fun for the parents they genrally would be okay! I've already obs some baby firsts - how nice is that for mum when babys older! I know I love looking back at my own two childrens stuff from me or creche ect!

[john]

Thank's all that as replyed mum said today sorry for being a pain but my child is not at a nursery when with you and you should treat her with my wishies. She siad if she see any writen work about her child she will tell ofsted, this is not what i want. so phoned ofsted up to day and if you do any writen work with the childs name or keep a diary the parent can take you to court.

I have got a writen letter from parent saying no obs or diarys as she as all this done in nursery and i should look after her child in a playful manner. She as given me a list of things the child likes and don'ts.

Wish i never started the child, but in someways i do understand the parents points. She siad today how would you feel if you were obs in every place you are? but i did say its for the childs good and help her in learning. very strange but we are here for the parents and child not OFSTED i think lol

Having words with ofsted we agreed not to write about her but just use verble feedback. We also got on about doing the EYFS she said don't start it now waite until next year as alot will be changing to cover excemtions just for childminders?

It's never straght forward lol, what use childminders have to put up with good job we like are work (some times sorry to rant on but if we are teaching the 0-3 and the EYFS should we be payed as a nursery nurse wage by the gov?

[glow=red,2,300]John. [/glow]

[buildingblocks]

Sounds like you have got this sorted out now Johnbut this is my problem with the EYFS we are being told to do it even though a lot of the parents donot want it. But I also want to be treated like any other childcare professional and hopefully this will go a long way towards it (as John said wish we got the same pay - after all the expenses)

My problem is I do it (as well as i can do it - not brillinatly) and none of the parents are interested.

I like the idea of getting all my parents to sign to say they do not want me to do it though lol

lov ekate

[vik3000]

Sounds like you got it sorted John. When I was on my training a couple of weekends ago there was a minder who said that her parent didn't want her to follow the EYFS with her child.

From what we were told:

parents are supposed (?) to be getting information regarding EYFS to explain to them (uh huh will believe that when I see it and just exactly how many of them will understand it let alone give a flying monkey about it)

you can still keep a daily childminding journal regarding your general day (detailing what has been happening - activities and your thoughts about how it went, what you could do different/adapt etc), mealtimes (what you had) etc. This can be done without mentioning any names. Put what you have done that meets the framework and where you can go from there.

how about starting a scrapbook "All about me" - again a little evidence.

Pictures of results of activity - a cake baked, the end product of a painting (name blanked out).

If you have permission from mum to take general photos, and if you can use them in displays or newletters - hey presto you have your evidence because obviously you'll keep copies of your newsletter (you can show ofsted your communication with parents via newsletters), pictures of displays etc. EVen if the face is blanked out.