As the leader of a small group of day nurseries and out-of-school clubs, I believe the EYFS Review has not adequately tackled the issues facing out-of-school and holiday provision in relation to inspection outcomes, nor made appropriate recommendations for improving the situation. Because we provide care for children under five in the out-of-school clubs we have to be inspected against the statutory framework of the EYFS, including the learning and development requirements. Our out-of-school provision is run along the same lines as our nurseries, with the same policies and procedures but a greater emphasis on playwork principles.
Three clubs have been inspected in the last two months and achieved pleasing reports. However, the inspection outcomes were not totally as expected. The reason? We were told that because there were no children in the EYFS age range attending on the day of the inspection (although they did attend on other days), we could not get more than satisfactory for the 'Outcomes for children in the EYFS' section, despite the fact that the report itself suggests the clubs are good in helping children meet the Every Child Matters outcomes. The inspection reports all state that they do not include an evaluation of the provision for children older than the early years, but there are no other formal means for parents to judge an out-of-school setting's effectiveness.
The Review suggests the process of securing an exemption from the learning and development requirements should be eased for groups such as ours. But that still leaves a hole in terms of evaluating the effectiveness of out-of-school settings for the over-fives. Surely the process should be fully inclusive of the needs of all children whose settings are obliged to be on both the Early Years and the Childcare Register. Or are the five-to-eights effectively 'lost children'?
Jane Middlebrook, managing director, Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries, Leeds
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JUDGE ONE, JUDGE ALL?
It is valuable for Helen Penn to bring an international perspective to quality and the importance of space for young children (Analysis, 14 April). It is unacceptable that there should not be a requirement in England that any early years setting has outdoor space.
However, it is unhelpful to conclude with criticism of one setting and ask 'Is this really the best we can do in the UK?' It will be the choice of this individual nursery whether to respond. However, I can say with confidence that there are many private nurseries, and other types of early years setting, who make the most of their outdoor space and are very thoughtful about the indoor environment.
There is much to learn from other nations, but impressive frameworks and official pedagogy are not necessarily reflected in every setting within a given country.
Jennie Lindon, early years consultant, London
EYSFF AND NETWORKS
While I am relieved that other childminders are raising the important issue of delivering the free entitlement (News, 14 April), I have written to MPs and the NCMA lobbying for the opportunity to give all children 'equal access' to early years education, for parents to choose childminding as the childcare of their choice and for childminders to be equal.
In the 2009 DCSF publication Next Steps for Early Learning and Childcare: Building on the Ten-Year Strategy, the previous Government's vision for networks is clearly outlined on page 67. While acknowledging that childminders must belong to a network to deliver the free entitlement, it says 'it is unclear whether this single network model is the best to provide support for childminders and ensure a level playing field across different types of providers'. But nothing has happened to make it fairer for those still excluded!
I also consider the EYSFF poor remuneration well below the minimum wage. We are at the mercy of our local authorities.
The choice for childminders is either to be excluded from delivering the free entitlement, or doing so but accepting a loss in income even though our ratio is higher.
Simona McKenzie, registered childminder, Twickenham
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