EYFS REVIEW: implications for nursery businesses

Apart from the implications of slimming down the early learning goals and the EYFS profile, the review tackles the fact that managers and their staff have been under increasing pressure to write down everything they do. It recognises that large amounts of paperwork are not needed to support ongoing assessment or to increase the efficiency of inspections.

Administration could also be reduced in the area of risk assessments, with the review placing greater emphasis on practitioners being able to demonstrate safety on outings, for example, rather than writing detailed risk assessments.

Claire Schofield, director of  Communications, Membership and Policy at the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) says, ‘Since the EYFS was introduced our members have reported that the administration around it can impact on the time they spend with children - so any moves to free up practitioner time will support children to gain even more from nursery life. However, it is important that any new activities that are outlined in the review – such as the development check – are thoroughly discussed so that they do not add to administration.’