Self-reflective practice

Just as every child is unique, so is the service that each childminder provides. One thing common to all registered childminders in England, however, is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Registered childminders must be able to demonstrate how they meet the requirements of the EYFS.

One way of checking how you are meeting the needs of the children in your care is to work on developing your reflective practice. This means regularly looking at every aspect of your practice and being honest with yourself about how you are doing.

Remember to highlight the many positive aspects of your childminding, rather than simply concentrating on a few areas that may need some extra attention or improvement.

A reflective practitioner:

• takes professional responsibility for constantly improving the quality of their own practice
• thinks about the way they work, and why they choose certain ways of working
• considers working in different ways and introduces new ways of working
• plans how to maintain and develop their practice in future, seeking new information and training opportunities.

PACEY's Professional Occupational Standards will help you reflect on your professional development and how you are meeting the requirements of the EYFS.