This will come into force on 3rd April 2017
- The position for settings offering care ‘before and after school and during school holidays’ to ‘children younger than those in the Reception class age range’ has been amended. It now clarifies that providers ‘should continue to be guided by, but do not have to meet, the learning and development requirements’.
- A link to the UK Physical Activity Guidelines has been added to the revised EYFS from the Chief Medical Office (CMO) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-physical-activity-guidelines
- Reference has been made to the regard that providers must have to the government’s statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’ and ‘Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015’.
- The qualification requirements for level 3 ratios have been revised. Staff holding EYE qualifications must now also hold a level 2 qualification in English and Maths to be counted in level 3 ratios.
- Appropriate PFA course criteria has been set out in Annex A. Newly qualified practitioners with completed level 2 and/or level 3 qualifications who are entering the early years workforce must also have a full PFA certificate in order to be included in the required staff:child ratios at in an early years setting.
- A new footnote has been added directed at schools with a provision run by the governing body. For three and four year olds who are not pupils of the school, a 1:13 ratio can be applied where a person with a suitable level 6 qualification is working directly with the children or a 1:8 ratio where a person with a suitable level 6 qualification is not working directly with children but at least one member of staff present holds a level 3 qualification.
- An example of an exception to usual ratios has been added to paragraph 3.42 (Childminders). This relates to maintaining continuity of care.
- It has been made more obvious that prescription medicines are not to be administered unless prescribed by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.
- Slight changes have been made to accommodate the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015. This act permits Ofsted registered domestic childcare providers or childminder agencies to work up to half of their time from non-domestic premises without registering separately.