EYFS Language for Inspection Conversations | Childminder Guidance

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EYFS Language for Inspection Conversations

Guidance for Childminders | Key Phrases and Explanations Rooted in Practice

A professional guidance document supporting confident, authentic inspection conversations in childminding settings.

EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership (Professional)

(Available now to read on the page link above | Files available for download by: March 31st 2026)

What this document is

This document provides examples of EYFS-aligned language to support childminders when talking about their practice during inspection and professional conversations.

It offers clear, practice-rooted explanations of curriculum intent, planning, assessment, mixed-age provision, SEND, continuous provision and partnerships with families. The guidance reassures childminders that inspectors are not looking for scripted answers, but for clear understanding of what practitioners do, why they do it, and how it supports children’s learning and development.

The examples in this document are not scripts. They are models of professional language that can be adapted to reflect individual childminding practice. This document supports professional judgement and does not replace the EYFS statutory framework or official inspection guidance.

Who this is for

• Registered childminders preparing for inspection

• Childminders seeking confidence with professional language

• Practitioners anxious about “saying the right thing”

• Childminders wanting EYFS-aligned explanations rooted in practice

What this document helps you do

• Explain curriculum intent clearly without relying on written documents

• Articulate mixed-age practice as a pedagogical strength

• Describe planning and assessment confidently and accurately

• Discuss SEND and inclusion using proportionate, EYFS-aligned language

• Explain continuous provision and resource choices clearly

• Approach inspection conversations with calm confidence

How this fits within our Childminder framework

This document forms part of our wider Childminder Curriculum & Pedagogy framework, supporting inspection-ready communication grounded in everyday practice.

It sits alongside:

• Inspection Confidence for Childminders

• Childminder Pedagogy Position Statement

• The EYFS Curriculum in Mixed-Age Care

• Planning Without Paperwork Overload (Childminder OAP Guidance)

Together, these documents support childminders to communicate the quality of their practice clearly, authentically and without relying on scripts or paperwork.

This document is part of our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership (Professional), which provides full access to age-specific curriculum frameworks, planning guidance, assessment tools and leadership support.

(Available now to read on the page link above | Files available for download by: March 31st 2026)

Recommended next read Selection

Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’

Additional Documents | Professional Membership Contents (Mixed-Age)

Navigate our Curriculum & Pedagogy guidance documents here.

Please note, Professional Membership enables 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. The documents below are designed for use alongside our age-specific pathway materials.

• 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:

What is Professional Membership?

Find our more about our Professional guidance for confident, reflective EYFS practice (Birth–5)

Alternatively, learn more about and explore our printable provision resources.

Thousands of ready-to-use printables to support provision, organisation, routines and learning across EYFS.

Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog

Stay informed, get expert advice, and find inspiration from our collection of articles and useful external resources, tailored specifically for EYFS practitioners. We regularly publish in-depth articles to support you with current best practices, regulatory changes, and fresh ideas.

Are you looking for a specific resource or document for your provision?

Use our 🔍 SEARCH Bar located at the top of every page.

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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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