Childminder EYFS Observations and Planning

1. Moving to “In the Moment Planning”

Traditional planning often involves spending hours on Sunday night creating a rigid schedule for the week ahead. In a home-based setting, this rarely works because children’s interests change by the hour.

In the Moment Planning (ITMP) is the practice of spotting a “teachable moment” and responding to it immediately.

How ITMP Works for Childminders:

• The Spark: A child notices a spider web in the garden.

• The Interaction: Instead of waiting until next week to do a “mini-beast theme,” you grab a magnifying glass and a spray bottle right then.

• The Learning: You discuss the patterns (Mathematics), how spiders move (Physical Development), and use descriptive words like “sticky” or “silky” (Communication and Language).

By planning “in the moment,” you eliminate the need for complex forward-planning documents. Your “Implementation” is happening live, and your evidence is the progress the child makes.

2. Quality Over Quantity: Writing Impactful EYFS Observations

One of the most common questions is: “How many observations do I need per child?” There is no statutory number. Ofsted would much rather see one meaningful observation that led to progress than twenty “He played with the cars” notes.

The Anatomy of a Great Observation

To make your childminder paperwork efficient, use the ABC method:

1. A – Antecedent/Activity: What was the child doing? (e.g., “Leo was trying to stack three wooden blocks.”)

2. B – Behaviour/Development: What did you notice? (e.g., “He struggled with balance and became frustrated.”)

3. C – Concept/Next Step: What did you do to help? (e.g., “I modelled how to place the larger block at the bottom. Leo then successfully stacked four.”)

This simple note proves you understand the child’s needs and have provided the “Impact” required by the Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

3. Tracking the “Characteristics of Effective Learning” (CoEL)

Inspectors aren’t just looking at what children learn, but how they learn. The CoEL are the secret weapon of an “Outstanding” childminder. These are:

• Playing and Exploring: Are they “having a go”?

• Active Learning: Do they keep trying if they encounter a challenge?

• Creating and Thinking Critically: Do they have their own ideas and find ways to solve problems?

Instead of writing a separate report for these, try to tick them off or mention them within your standard observations. Showing that a child “persisted with a difficult puzzle” is better evidence of development than simply saying they finished it.

4. Setting Up Your Home for Self-Directed Learning

To reduce your planning workload, your environment needs to do some of the work for you. This is known as Continuous Provision.

When your resources are accessible (e.g., low shelves with clear bins), children can lead their own learning. Your role shifts from a “teacher” who has to entertain them to a “facilitator” who observes their natural interests.

5. Preparing for the “Learning Walk”

During an Ofsted inspection, the inspector will likely ask you to do a “Learning Walk.” They will ask you to talk about the children in your care without looking at your files.

You should be able to explain:

• Where each child is in their development.

• What they are currently interested in.

• What their “Next Step” is (e.g., “We are working on Sarah’s fine motor skills so she can start using safety scissors”).

If you can speak confidently about these three points, the amount of physical paperwork you have becomes secondary.

Final Tips for Paperwork Efficiency

1. Go Digital: Consider using apps like Tapestry or Kinderly. They allow you to snap a photo and tag the EYFS area in seconds.

2. Use a “Communication Diary”: A simple notebook shared with parents can serve as both a daily log and an observation record.

3. Group Observations: If you take all the children to a forest school and they all learn about autumn leaves, write one observation and copy it into everyone’s file.

➡️ Internal Link Suggestion: Ensure you have the right legal framework for your settings by reviewing our Childminder Policies and Procedures guide.