Here, we answer your questions on the new EYFS.
Suitable People
Q: The EYFS now states that criminal records check (or checks if more than one country) should also be made for anyone who has lived or worked abroad, what does this mean?
A: Registered providers must now obtain an additional criminal record check (or checks if more than one country) for anyone that has lived or worked abroad. View guidance here to do this.
Additional criminal records check (or checks if more than one county) for anyone who has lived or worked abroad applies to any member of staff appointed from 3 April 2017 on-wards. Its not retrospective but providers could undertake checks on existing members of staff if they have any concerns about an existing member of staff’s suitability.
There is no time limit for how far back checks should be made for. In some cases there may be limits imposed by the country from which checks are sought. Providers should be as sure as they can be that there is nothing that suggests that an individual may be unsuitable to care for children.
Staff Qualifications, Training, Support and Skills
Q: Do all staff now need a suitable level 2 qualification English and Maths to count in the ratios at level 3?
A: No. This requirement applies to staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification that qualified on or after September 2014. (EYFS 2017 footnote, page 21). Staff achieving level 3 qualifications prior to September 2014 can continue to be counted in the ratios.
Q: What happens on reaching the end of a level 3 qualification for practitioners who don’t have GCSE Maths and English but do have a functional equivalent?
A: From 3 April, as long as an individual holds their EYE and a level 2 in English and maths when they enter the workplace, they can count in the level 3 ratios. It doesn’t matter when they got those qualifications.
Q: So if a member of staff is in the first year of their GCSE maths now and does not have lower-level functional skills, should they still continue with studying for this qualification if they want to be classed as Level 3 qualified?
A: The EYFS requirement has been broadened to include functional Skills at level 2 alongside existing GCSE requirements. The reason for retaining the GCSE is that there is a pathway for those who wish to progress to Early Years Teacher.
Those studying currently will be encouraged to continue with the GCSE, however where individuals are unable to meet the requirements of a GCSE, functional Skills will become an option. In addition to the changes within the EYFS the DfE are also in the process of making changes to the apprenticeship funding guidance so that someone who started an apprenticeship from September 2016 can switch to functional skills if they want to rather than doing GCSEs. You should ask your training provider to inform you of when this option is available.
Q: Do my newly qualified staff require a full 12 hour paediatric first aid qualification or is an emergency paediatric first aid sufficient?
A: The EYFS (page 22) states that they must have either a full or emergency PFA certificate within three months of starting work in order to count in the ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting.
Health and medicines
Q: What is the change to the prescription medicines?
A: The only amendment is the addition of the word “prescription” to ‘medicines must not be administered unless they have been prescribed for a child by a doctor, dentist, nurse or pharmacist.” This means that any other medication purchased without prescription must not be given.
Q: What does non-prescribed medication include?
A. A non-prescription medicine would be anything that can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription from a medically qualified person. Non-prescription medicine does not need to be prescribed by a doctor (so things like calpol purchased over the counter can be given with parent’s permission, as set out in paragraph 3.46).
Q. Does written parental permission have to be gained for all medication administered?
A. Parental permission is required for each medicine administered (so if a child is having both calpol and a cough remedy, both would need to be covered by parent’s permission), but parental permission is not required for each and every time it is administered. So, for example, if a child is prescribed a course of antibiotics, the setting would need to get parent’s written permission at the outset to administer them, but does not need to get written permission before every single dose administered. Similarly with calpol, as long as parents have given permission at the outset to the administration of calpol the setting does not need to get written parent’s permission each and every time they administer it. They do, however, have to record every occasion they administer it let the parents know they have administered them, preferably on the same day but as soon as reasonably practical.
Documentation
Q: Are NDNA updating policies and procedures to reflect the EYFS 2017?
A: Yes the policies and procedures have been updated and were available for members from 27 March 2017.
Further support
For further information view our online courses and factsheets in the NDNA shop here.