New Early Years Funding 2024 and 2025.

In this video, we are going to quickly go over some of the new changes from the New EYFS, which came into force Sept 2023.

There were some key changes which will affect how you manage your childcare provision, but first welcome to the channel…

Intro Video

So, in this video we will go through all the key changes that came into force in the New EYFS.

For, those that don’t know a new updated statutory framework was introduced earlier in 2023 and applies from the 4^th September 2023.

There are two key changes introduced and one clarification.

But first, what is the EYFS.  I will do a complete guide to the EYFS in the coming weeks, so make sure to subscribe to learn more about this.

Though, quickly to explain the EYFS Statutory Framework sets standards for children’s learning, development and welfare from birth to five years old. These standards, which must be met by school and childcare providers, were created to make sure that young children develop and learn safely.

The EYFS statutory framework for EYFS aims to help young children stay safe while gaining new skills and supporting their learning and holistic development.

Though, as mentioned there are three things to note in this new edition of the statutory framework.

The first is the clarification on flexibility around childminder ratio rules.

This is in section 3.43.

Previously, childminders could care for up to 6 children under the age of 8, but only 3 young children (a child is classed as a young child up until 1st September following their 5th birthday). Under the revised framework, they clarified to specifically state, that childminders can care for more than the specified maximum of three young children, providing this number includes their own child(ren) or the siblings of children for whom they already care.

(If a childminder can demonstrate to parents and/or carers and Ofsted inspectors or their childminder agency that the individual needs of all the children are being met, exceptions to the usual ratios can be made for example: • when childminders are caring for siblings, or • when caring for their own child, or • to maintain continuity of care, or • if children aged three to five only attend the childminding setting before and/or after a normal school day51, and/or during school holidays, they may be cared for at the same time as three other young children. In all circumstances, the total number of children under the age of eight being cared for must not exceed six per adult.)

The other change in the EYFS is around health and safety specifically around healthy eating.

It contains further detail around safe eating practices.

This is in section 3.29.

Here it states that “adequate supervision” while children are eating means that children must be within sight and hearing of an adult. 

This is the governments attempts to help reduce the risk of choking with the children in our care.

The final change is the biggest one and arguably the most controversial.

A lot of people have argued against this change with some stating that it has come in at the worst possible time and will only serve to harm quality and compromise safety.  Many are disappointed that it was still imposed despite lots of opposition and many settings will stick to the old rules.

But this change is a change to the early years nursery ratios for 2 year olds.

Previously, one member of staff could look after 4 children, however this has been increased to five children.

This is similar to other countries like Scotland, who were already using the 1:5 ratio for two year olds.

The aim of this change is to ensure that early years settings remain manageable and effective in fostering children’s development.

Essentially helping nurseries to make more money as they can now have an additional 2-year-old, per member of staff in their toddler room.

Though, many nurseries I’ve spoken to are yet to adjust their ratios yet, some have said it does allow extra flexibility and have spoken about making the change in the future.

For those that use my free nursery ratio calculator shown behind, which allows you to instantly work out how many staff you need based on the number of children, you should know that this has already been updated to reflect the change to the 1:5 ratio.

If you haven’t used it before, it’s a great tool to support you working out ratios as you don’t need to use any excel documents or work out ratios on calculator.  Just input the number of children and get an instant result of how many staff you need.

It’s free to use and I will put a link to this in the description and comments.

But those are all the changes that are in the new EYFS Statutory Framework.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment.

And if you want any further support opening running or growing your own childcare business then make sure to subscribe.

I post regular video’s around a variety of topics.

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God Bless.