The problem
Observations, photos and progress summaries are the evidence Ofsted looks at, and many childminders still print photos and stick them in scrapbooks. Printing and sticking for 5 children takes about 3 hours a month, and termly summaries at 1.5 hours a child add about 2.5 hours a month.
What the AI does
Tapestry lets a childminder record observations with unlimited photos and videos, link them to the EYFS, and build reports from ready-made templates or their own. Reports can be shared with families, and parents can add their own observations from home. PDF journal exports and child profile transfers help when a child moves on. All features come in every Tapestry package. The childminder still decides what each observation shows and what the next steps are, including for the progress check at age two.
A worked example
A childminder in Derby keeps learning journeys for 5 children. They move from printed scrapbooks to Tapestry observations and write termly summaries from its report templates.
Before
3 hours printing and sticking plus 2.5 hours of summaries: 5.5 hours a month
After
1 hour uploading and 1 hour on reports: 2 hours a month
What it's worth
About $69£52€62A$100C$98 a month of the childminder's time saved (3.5 hours at an assumed $20£15€18A$29C$28 an hour). Tapestry for up to 6 children is $90£68€81A$131C$128 a year excluding VAT, about $8£6€7A$12C$11 a month or $9£7€8A$13C$13 with VAT, the same subscription as the diary and invoices.
How to set it up
- Add each child and invite parents, explaining what they will see and how they can add their own observations.
- Record short observations with a photo or video as they happen, and link them to the EYFS areas.
- Pick a report template for termly summaries and the progress check at age two, and adjust it to your style.
- Share reports with parents through Tapestry and talk them through at pick-up or a parents' chat.
- Export a PDF journal when a child leaves, or transfer their profile to their next setting.
What goes wrong
- Photos of other children often appear in the background. Check each one before it is shared with a family.
- More observations aren't better. Ofsted wants you to know the child, not a pile of evidence.
- Family observations need checking before you rely on them in a report.
- Get parents' consent for photos and videos, and record it.