Birth–5 Coherence Overview | Childminder Guidance

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(This pathway component is currently available to read on the page below and will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

Birth–5 Coherence Overview

How Childminder Pedagogy Aligns With Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception Frameworks

A professional overview supporting coherent, inspection-ready understanding of birth–five EYFS practice in childminding settings.

Purpose of This Document

This overview supports childminders to understand how their mixed-age, home-based pedagogy aligns with the wider birth–five curriculum framework.

It is designed to:

• demonstrate coherence across Baby, Toddler, Preschool and Reception pathways

• reassure childminders that they are delivering the full EYFS curriculum

• clarify how age-phase guidance informs practice without fragmenting it

• support confident inspection conversations about progression and curriculum continuity

This document sits alongside:

• the Childminder Pedagogy Position Statement

• The EYFS Curriculum in Mixed-Age Care

• age-specific pathway documents

One Curriculum, Many Contexts

The EYFS sets out one statutory curriculum from birth to five.

Different contexts deliver this curriculum in different ways.

In childminding settings:

• children of different ages learn together

• learning is embedded in daily life

• relationships and routines are central

This does not reduce curriculum ambition. It changes how it is delivered.

How Age-Phase Frameworks Support Childminders

The Baby, Toddler, Preschool and Reception frameworks provide:

• guidance on typical developmental progression

• examples of appropriate expectations

• shared professional language

For childminders, these frameworks are used to:

• deepen understanding of development

• reflect on children’s progress over time

• inform responsive interactions

They are not used to:

• plan separate activities by age

• divide the day into age groups

• create parallel lesson plans

Coherence Through Shared Experiences

In mixed-age childminding practice, coherence is achieved through shared experiences.

For example, during one shared routine or activity:

• babies may engage through sensory exploration and secure attachment

• toddlers may develop language and independence

• preschool children may explore ideas and relationships

• Reception-aged children may explain, reason and reflect

The experience is shared. The learning outcomes differ.

Progression Across Birth–5

Progression in childminding settings is seen:

• over time

• across repeated experiences

• through increasing confidence, independence and complexity

Childminders demonstrate progression by:

• knowing what children can do now compared to before

• adjusting support and challenge

• revisiting experiences at a deeper level

This aligns fully with Development Matters guidance.

Alignment With Reception Expectations

Childminders supporting children approaching Reception:

• continue to prioritise play-based learning

• support communication, self-regulation and independence

• encourage curiosity, confidence and resilience

This provides a strong foundation for school without introducing formal teaching.

Childminder pedagogy complements, rather than replicates, school practice.

Inclusion and Continuity

A coherent birth–five approach supports inclusion.

Because childminders:

• know children deeply

• work closely with families

• adapt practice quickly

They provide continuity for children as they grow and transition.

Inspection Confidence

During inspection, childminders can confidently explain:

• “I deliver the full birth–five curriculum through mixed-age experiences.”

• “I use age-phase guidance to inform my expectations, not to separate learning.”

• “Progression is seen through increasing independence, language and engagement.”

This demonstrates curriculum coherence and intent.

Key Messages

• The EYFS is one coherent birth–five curriculum

• Childminder pedagogy aligns fully with age-phase frameworks

• Shared experiences support progression across ages

• Coherence is developmental, not structural

Final Position

Childminder practice delivers a coherent, ambitious birth–five curriculum through:

• real-life experiences

• mixed-age interaction

• responsive teaching

This pedagogy aligns fully with Baby, Toddler, Preschool and Reception frameworks while remaining distinct by design.

Document Updated: January 2026

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(This pathway component is currently available to read on the page above and will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

Recommended next read Selection

Professional Membership Contents (Childminder | Mixed-Age)

Below you will find listed the component documents of our ‘Childminder Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite’. They are separated into Strands 1-9. You do not need to use everything all at once.

Please note, as a Professional Member you have access to all age-specific pathways.

Childminder Pathway Documents

Navigate your way through curriculum, pedagogy, policies, planning and inspection-support documents designed specifically for childminding practice.
Contents reflects the realities of mixed-age care, home-based provision and solo working, while remaining fully aligned with the EYFS statutory framework.

• 1. Pedagogy & Professional Position (Start Here)

  👉 Establish confidence, language and inspection-ready understanding.

  • How To Use The Childminder Pathway

  • Childminder Pedagogy Position Statement[Free Orienting Sample]
    - Our approach to EYFS in home-based, mixed-age settings

  • The EYFS Curriculum in Mixed-Age Care
    - Birth–5 curriculum guidance for childminders

  • Continuous Provision in a Childminding Setting
    - Practical Guidance for Home-Based EYFS Practice

• 2. Planning Without Paperwork Overload

  👉 Reduce workload and validate responsive planning.

  • Planning Without Paper Overload (Childminder OAP Guidance)[Free Orienting Sample]
    - Observation–Assessment–Planning in childminding practice

  • In-the-Moment Planning Prompts
    - Light-touch prompts to support reflection and next steps

  • Weekly Care & Learning Planning Templates
    - Optional formats for those who prefer written reflection

• 3. Assessment, Progression & SEND

  👉 Support for confident assessment across mixed ages.

  • Assessment & Progression in Mixed-Age Care
    - Recognising development without tracking systems

  • SEND & Early Identification in Childminding Settings
    - Observing patterns, adapting practice, seeking support

  • Progress Summaries & Transition Records(Guidance)
    - Supporting transitions and communication with families and schools

  • Optional Progress Summary Template

  • Optional Transition Record Template

• 4. Continuous Provision & Environment

  👉 Translate EYFS provision into home-based practice.

  • Continuous Provision in a Childminding Setting
    - Practical Guidance for Home-Based EYFS Practice

  • Provision Rotation & Resource Selection Toolkit
    - Keeping provision fresh without overwhelm

  • Outdoor & Community Learning Guidance
    - Learning beyond the home environment

• 5. Inspection Confidence & Leadership Support

  👉 Build calm, informed inspection readiness.

  • Inspection Confidence for Childminders
    - Explaining curriculum, planning and assessment clearly

  • EYFS Language for Inspection Conversations
    - Key phrases and explanations rooted in practice

  • Safeguarding & Welfare Overview
    - Clarifying expectations and responsibilities

• 6. Illustrated Practice

  👉 Bring pedagogy to life through relatable examples.

  • A Week in the Life of a Childminder
    - Illustrating high-quality EYFS practice across a typical week

• 7. Parent Partnership & Communication

  👉 Support strong relationships with families.

  • Parent Communication Templates
    - Daily updates, transitions and shared information

  • Explaining EYFS to Families (Childminder Version)
    - Helping parents understand learning through play and care

• 8. How This Hub Fits With the Wider Membership

  👉 Cohesion with age-specific pathways and wider site resources.

  • Using Tier 3 Professional Membership as a Childminder
    - How these documents complement printable resources & our age-specific pathways

  • Birth–5 Coherence Overview
    - How childminder pedagogy aligns with Baby, Toddler, Preschool & Reception frameworks

• 9. Childminder Setting Policies

  👉 Overarching practice documents.

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

Age-Specific Guidance For Children Within Your Care

Professional Members have access to all of the pathways below. Select the ages relevant for the children you work with.

Childminders can use age-specific documents to:

• inform professional understanding of development

• support appropriate expectations

• reflect on how children are progressing over time

You do not need to use everything.

Select a Pathway below:

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context. All resources, experiences and environment arrangements must be risk assessed by the setting and used in accordance with individual children’s developmental stages, needs and supervision requirements.

Safeguarding content does not replace a setting’s safeguarding and child protection policy or the statutory role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). All concerns must be managed in line with current statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.

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