How To Use The Childminder Pathway | Mixed-Age

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

How to Use the Childminder Pathway

A Clear Guide for Childminders Using Our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Resources

Purpose of This Page

This page explains how to use the Childminder Pathway confidently and effectively.

It is designed to:

• help childminders navigate the pathway without overwhelm

• clarify which documents are core guidance and which are optional supports

• explain how this pathway fits alongside age-specific frameworks and printable resources

• reinforce that high-quality practice does not require excessive paperwork

This page can be revisited at any time as a reference point.

A Clear Starting Point

The Childminder Pathway is designed to be used as a whole, not as a checklist.

You are not expected to:

• read everything at once

• implement every idea immediately

• produce written evidence for every area

Instead, the pathway supports you to:

• understand your pedagogy

• feel confident in your professional decisions

• articulate your practice clearly

Where to Begin

Most childminders find it helpful to start with:

1. Childminder Pedagogy Position Statement
   This explains what childminder pedagogy is and why it looks different from group provision.

2. The EYFS Curriculum in Mixed-Age Care
   This shows how one experience supports learning across birth–five.

Together, these documents provide the foundation for everything else in the pathway.

Understanding the Sections

Each section of the pathway has a clear purpose.

1. Pedagogy & Professional Position

These documents help you:

• understand your role as a professional educator

• explain mixed-age practice

• articulate curriculum intent

They are primarily thinking and confidence documents.

2. Planning Without Paperwork Overload

These documents support:

• in-the-moment planning

• responsive teaching

• reflection without excessive recording

Templates in this section are optional and exist to support confidence, not compliance.

3. Assessment, Progression & SEND

This section explains:

• how progress is recognised over time

• how SEND is supported through everyday practice

• when written summaries are helpful

Guidance comes first. Templates are optional and used only when they add value.

4. Continuous Provision & Environment

These documents help you:

• design provision within a shared home

• make intentional resource choices

• use outdoor and community spaces confidently

They support reflection rather than fixed set-ups.

5. Inspection Confidence & Leadership Support

This section supports you to:

• talk confidently about your practice

• understand safeguarding responsibilities

• approach inspection calmly and professionally

These documents are designed to be revisited as needed.

6. Illustrated Practice

Illustrated examples show how high-quality practice looks across a typical week.

They are not models to copy, but reflections to support understanding.

7. Parent Partnership & Communication

These documents help you:

• explain the EYFS to families

• share information proportionately

• build strong, respectful partnerships

They support consistency and clarity in communication.

8. How This Hub Fits With the Wider Membership

This section explains:

• how to use age-specific pathways as reference tools

• how printable resources support, but do not drive, practice

• how all elements of the membership fit together

This helps reduce overload and confusion.

9. Childminder Setting Policies

This section contains statutory policy documents.

Policies support safeguarding and compliance but do not replace professional judgement.

Using Age-Specific Pathways

Childminders are not expected to plan separately for:

• babies

• toddlers

• preschool children

• Reception-aged children

Age-specific pathways are used to:

• inform expectations

• deepen understanding of development

• support reflective practice

They are reference documents, not planning frameworks.

Using Whole-Setting Guidance

All Professional Members also have access to more broad EYFS (Birth-5) guidance documents that you will find listed in a separate contents table below your Childminder Pathway.

This includes the following sections:

• Curriculum & Pedagogy (Birth-5)

• Early Years Schemas

• EYFS Setting Policies (however you have access to more specific ‘Childminder Policies’ within the Childminder Pathway)

• EYFS Glossary

Using Printable Resources

Printable resources are tools to support play and learning.

You are not expected to:

• follow themes week by week

• print large quantities of materials

• use resources to evidence learning

Resources are selected intentionally to support children’s interests and shared experiences.

A Final Reassurance

High-quality childminding practice is:

• intentional

• relational

• responsive

This pathway exists to support your professional confidence, not to increase workload.

Use the documents that are helpful to you. Revisit others when needed.

You are already delivering the EYFS through real life, real relationships and real experiences.

Document Updated: January 2026

(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

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. You do not need to use everything. (Many practitioners use more than one pathway.)

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.

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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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