Publication of revised NMS in Wales/Cyhoeddi safonau diwygiedig

Today, the Welsh Government has published the updated National Minimum Standards (NMS) for regulated childcare along with a separate standalone National Minimum Standards (NMS) for regulated open access play.

The public consultation into the NMS reported its summary of response earlier this year and welcomed many of the changes put forward. These changes have been summarised in the Summary of key changes section in both NMS, for child minding and day care, and open access play provision.

Why have the National Minimum Standards been reviewed and updated?

The Welsh Government regularly reviews the NMS to ensure they remain:

  • Fit for purpose and support the sustainability of childcare and playwork sector
  • Relevant to current childcare practice
  • Aligned with legislation and safeguarding expectations
  • Reflective of sector feedback
  • Supportive of workforce development and quality improvement

In short: The updates are designed to make the standards clearer, more practical and better aligned to everyday childcare practice.

What you need to know as a childminder about changes to the National Minimum Standards in Wales

Please note this is an evolving page and as further frequently asked questions arise they will be added. If you have a question that is not covered by the information below please email us cymru@corampacey.org.uk

Change: Childminder ratios

New wording from the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years: statutory guidance:

15.1 (CM) When determining the number of children a child minder offers care to, children’s care needs and well-being must be of paramount consideration, as outlined in standard 4-meeting individual needs.
The maximum number of children for whom a child minder may care is as follows:
• Ten children up to 12 years of age;
• Of those ten children, no more than six under 8 years of age.
• Of those six, no more than four under 5 years of age.
• Of those four no more than three under 2 years of age
• Of those three children, normally no more than two may be under 18 months of age, although CIW may agree an exception for multiple birth siblings (twins or triplets).
15.2(CM) Children who are due to start full-time statutory school (reception year) in the September may be classed as over 5 years old in the summer holidays immediately before this for the purposes of the ratios relevant to child minders. Children’s needs, care and well-being must remain of paramount consideration.
15.3(CM) Children aged 3–5 years who attend nursery education, or a combination of nursery education and wrap-around childcare for 5 hours or more in another setting may be considered as over 5 years old for the purposes of childminder ratios. Children’s needs, care and well-being must remain of paramount consideration.

What this means in practice:

Childminders must ensure that children’s needs, care and wellbeing are paramount and central to all decisions made as a registered provider. It is therefore important to consider each child’s individual needs and to manage these before making any decisions around the number of places you will provide.

From the publication of the revised NMS the following will apply in relation to childminder ratios:

  • Childminders in Wales will be able to care for up to four children under five-years-of-age
  • Children aged three to five years-of-age who attend nursery education, or a combination of nursery education and wrap-around childcare, for 5 hours a day or more in another setting may be considered as over five-years-of-age
  • Children due to start full-time statutory school (reception year) in September may be classed as over five-years-of-age in the summer holidays immediately before this

You should undertake appropriate risk assessments and also consider any local planning requirements.

Frequently asked questions:

  • A child in my care is due to start full time education (reception year) in September can they be classed as over five years of age for the purpose of ratios in the summer holidays before they start reception?

Yes, however children’s needs, care and wellbeing must remain paramount.

  • A child in my care will be starting full time nursery education in September can they be classed as over five years of age for the purpose of ratios in the summer holidays before they start reception?

No, only children starting full-time education in the reception year can be classed as over five years of age for the purpose of ratios in the summer holidays before they start reception this standard does not apply to other younger aged children.

  • If a child is classed as over five years of age for the purpose of the ratios does this also apply during school holiday periods and inset/staff training days?

Yes, this would apply to any inset days or school holiday periods following the start of the school year in question. See above for the position in relation to reception aged children.

  • What is meant by ‘another setting’?

This means another education or registered childcare setting where a child receives nursery education or a combination of nursery education and wrap-around childcare for 5 hours a day or more. This could be for example a child accessing full-time nursery education in a school (dependent on what is provided locally) or a child accessing ‘Meithrin Mwy’ in a cylch for 5 hours a day or more. This needs to include funded nursery education hours as part of the 5 hours. The number of transitions that children experience in a day should be considered and their needs remain paramount.

  • What if a child in my care does not take up an education place?

If a child in your care is not taking up an education place in a school or setting then they would not be able to be classed as over 5 for the purpose of ratios.

  • Do I need to amend my policies and procedures?

You will need to revise your Statement and Purpose (SOP) and any associated policies and procedures if you are looking to make changes to the service you deliver to reflect the changes to the NMS. For example if you are looking to change the ratios of children in your care in line with the changes to the NMS or are working with an assistant these will need to be reflected. We will be sharing a blog in coming weeks to support you with changes you may need to consider. Coram PACEY Cymru have policy guidance to support members.

You need to ensure that CIW are notified of any changes to your Statement of Purpose using CIW online.

Change: Childminding Assistants

Annex A - NMS Guidance for Child minder Assistants states:

Assistant suitability: Any assistant employed by a child minder must hold an appropriate qualification recognised in the Social Care Wales’s Qualification Framework. If an appropriate qualification is not held at the time of employment, assistants are required to have attained the required qualification within 6 months from the start of their current employment.

A qualified child minding assistant can be left in sole charge of minded children, in line with the adult : child staffing ratios, for up to two hours at any one time, with a maximum of three hours in total in any one day, provided all the requirements of standard 13 (CM): Suitable person (Child Minder) and this Annex A - NMS Guidance for Child minder Assistants are complied with.

What this means in practice:

From the publication of the revised NMS the following will apply in relation to childminders working with an assistant:

  • Childminding assistants can begin employment whilst working towards the required qualification. This needs to have been attained within six months. During the period prior to an assistant attaining the qualification they should not be left alone with children.
  • A qualified childminding assistant will be able to be left alone with children, for up to two hours at any one time, for up to three hours in total per day, provided all other requirements of the NMS are complied with.

Childminders must ensure that any assistant they employ, or intend to employ, is committed to working towards the required qualification, even if they do not currently hold it. It is important that the assistant is enrolled onto the relevant training as soon as possible after starting employment. Childminders have greater flexibility in relation to leaving an assistant alone with children while they undertake other activities as part of their childcare service.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I leave my childminding assistant alone with children?

Yes. A qualified childminding assistant will be able to be left alone with children, for up to two hours at any one time, for up to three hours in total per day, provided all other requirements of the NMS are complied with.

  • Can I employ an assistant who does not hold the required qualification?

Yes. Childminding assistants can begin employment whilst working towards the required qualification. This needs to have been attained within six months. During the period prior to an assistant attaining the qualification they should not be left alone with children. Read more on training available for childminder assistants.

  • Do I need to amend my policies and procedures?

You will need to revise your Statement and Purpose (SOP) and any associated policies and procedures if you are looking to make changes to the service you deliver to reflect the changes to the NMS. For example if you are looking to change the ratios of children in your care in line with the changes to the NMS or are working with an assistant these will need to be reflected. We will be sharing a blog in coming weeks to support you with changes you may need to consider. Coram PACEY Cymru have policy guidance to support members.

You need to ensure that CIW are notified of any changes to your Statement of Purpose using CIW online.

Change: Safeguarding training

Safeguarding training requirements are now more clearly defined by role in Annex C.

The guidance provides details about safeguarding training appropriate to different roles within the childcare and playwork sector, including the course type, for example online, face-to-face or hybrid and the length of course.

What this means in practice:

This ensures that you have a greater understanding of what is expected of you as a childminder. You must ensure that any staff receive the appropriate level of safeguarding training for their role.

Change: Administration of Liquid Paracetamol

The Medication Standards have been updated and guidance on storing and administering liquid paracetamol has been clarified in Annex D.

What this means in practice:

Liquid paracetamol can be obtained, stored and administered in limited circumstances when a child becomes unwell at the setting, but it does not change the expectation that unwell children should be collected as soon as practicable.

You will need to check that your medication policy, parental consent arrangements, storage procedures and record-keeping are all up to date and that any staff understand when this guidance can and cannot be used.

If you have a question that is not covered by the information below please email us cymru@corampacey.org.uk

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to amend my policies and procedures?

You will need to revise your Statement and Purpose (SOP) and any associated policies and procedures if you are looking to make changes to the service you deliver to reflect the changes to the NMS. For example if you are looking to change the ratios of children in your care in line with the changes to the NMS or are working with an assistant these will need to be reflected. We will be sharing a blog in coming weeks to support you with changes you may need to consider. Coram PACEY Cymru have policy guidance to support members.

You need to ensure that CIW are notified of any changes to your Statement of Purpose using CIW online.

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