As part of the review of the EYFS we have contributed the views of the sector to the review.
On August 2nd 2010, the Department for Education announced that Dame Clare Tickell had been asked by the government to conduct a review of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This was a significant announcement for playwork sector, as the EYFS has been a major issue for playwork employers since its launch.
We ran an online survey with Play England which helped guide the response to the call for evidence which closed on October 30th. We would like to thank everyone who took part in this.
All playwork respondents thought that they should be exempt in some way from the EYFS, with the learning and development requirements being the biggest concern. Other key issues included qualifications and inspections.
Recommendations
We are therefore recommending that:
- Playwork settings should be exempt from the learning and development requirements but should have met the requirements of a Quality Assurance system based on the playwork principles
- Playwork qualifications should be recognised as the only ones that are suitable for playwork settings
- The qualification requirements should be altered so that holiday playschemes should be able to use staff with or working towards the Playwork Award at Level 2 to count in staffing ratios
- The qualification requirements for the Early Years Register are aligned with the childcare register. This will make it more straightforward for employers to understand their responsibilities.
- Ofsted inspectors should attend mandatory training in play and playwork
The EYFS is backed up by legislation and we remind all employers they need to follow the legal requirements while the review is in process, as any changes to legislation are unlikely to take place before 2012.
We released an EYFS briefing paper, which provides clarification on many areas that are of concern to play settings as well as help in the inspection process.
Holiday playschemes
Holiday playschemes registered on the early years and/or childcare register are now required to employ staff with qualifications rather than the playwork induction standard endorsed training.
SkillsActive carried out a survey during the summer of 2009 on the impact of this, and the report is available here.
It indicated a significant impact on children, and we hope this research will play a part in a long-term solution being put in place for next year.
While playwork induction standard endorsed courses are no longer accepted by Ofsted, it should be noted that these courses still make a valuable contribution to induction training for staff and volunteers who are new to the playwork sector.
If you have any more questions about the EYFS you may find the answers in our EYFS FAQ, and for more information on the EYFS visit the DCSF website, although please note that information reflects previous government policy.
Play provision and Ofsted Early Years Foundation Stage Inspection
Ofsted are currently inspecting all settings registered on the early years register, which includes play provision which has children in the early years.
Ofsted released an important factsheet ‘regulating play-based provision’ which is essential reading for settings. It provides a clarification on many of the key areas of concern raised by play settings.
They have also updated two important documents, ‘Conducting early years inspections‘, and 'Requirements for the Childcare Register: childcare providers on nondomestic or domestic premises', which are available from their website and are essential updates.
It is important that play providers do not compromise working to the playwork principles and we feel that the Ofsted factsheet will benefit playwork settings and inspectors alike.
A review of Ofsted has just been announced, and more information will be posted here when available