Last updated October 2026
What's new at Policy & Play
Everything we've added or refreshed recently, newest first. Members see every update in their library straight away.
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One menu on every member page
The member area now has a single menu with six plain groups, the same on every page. Pages that did not earn their place have gone, and the daily routine chart, development snapshot and startup budget now save what you enter on your device.
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Forms corrected against the September 2026 framework
The allergy action plan now follows the BSACI plan, the child record form holds everything the framework lists, and the accident, existing injury and medication forms give the right people to tell. If you printed any of these before October 2026, please download the new version.
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Photo activity sheets
187 activity sheets now show a photo of the finished activity and a photo for each step, with a kit list, questions to ask and a safety box on one page. 29 of them are brand-new seasonal ideas.
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Sick child policy and parent contract now agree
Both now treat 38°C or above as a fever, and the contract's pain-relief permission matches the sick child policy: one dose of a medicine the parent has named, only to keep a child comfortable while they wait to be collected, never so they can stay. If you have already sent out either document, download the new versions and ask parents to re-sign Section H.
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Smart Setup names the right council
In county areas Smart Setup now fills in the county council that runs children's services, for example Hertfordshire County Council rather than St Albans. If you filled in your details before 2 October and live in a county area, check the local authority in your safeguarding policy.
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Your downloads are now your own document
Word and PDF downloads contain only your policy: no template label or website parts, your details as plain text, and an adopted date with the next review a year later. Smart Setup also asks for your address and ICO number and remembers your phone and email.
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A simpler dashboard with your first week mapped out
One place to ask Polly or search, a four-step first week for new members, the real first page of every policy, and a short list of what changed in the rules and which policies to re-check.
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Easier to read across the site
Clearer colours on every page, a retry button if the library cannot load, and a preview window you can use with the keyboard.
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See the real first page of every sheet
Every activity sheet in the library shows its actual first page before you download, so you know exactly what you will print.
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Blog posts now come with graphics and activity ideas
Every post has a picture header, an 'in a nutshell' summary where it helps, and ready-to-use activity ideas with what you'll need, how to do it and what to look out for.
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New: Rules & guidance page
One clear page on the rules childminders work to: the EYFS from September 2026, the Ofsted inspection toolkit, Working Together, KCSIE, funded hours, Prevent and data protection. It says what changed, what to do, and links to the official source. We check GOV.UK for changes every week.
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Policies updated for the September 2026 EYFS and KCSIE 2026
We checked every policy against GOV.UK. Safeguarding now reflects the wider duty to notify allegations of harm, volunteers need an enhanced DBS with barred list check, and references now point to KCSIE 2026 and Working Together 2026.
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Ask Polly is quicker and more reliable
Polly now answers within a fixed time limit and gives you a friendly message instead of an error when she's busy. The free taster is still there for anyone who wants to try before joining.
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What the September 2026 EYFS changes mean for you
A plain-English run-through of the safeguarding, sleep, DBS and screen-use changes, and what to update in your setting.
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New guides: funded hours, registration routes and after-school clubs
Three new practical guides: claiming funded hours as a childminder, choosing between Ofsted and an agency, and staying compliant when you run wraparound care.
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Activity sheets redesigned, with worksheets and colouring pages
Nearly 200 activity sheets now use the new, easier-to-read layout. Themed posters gained a worksheet mode, and there are new EYFS colouring sheets with real line art.
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Free Ofsted policy checklist
Tick off which policies you have and which you still need. It's free, and we'll email you a copy to keep.
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Try Polly free, no account needed
Ask Polly a childminding question straight from the website and see how she helps before you join.
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Not a member yet?
Every policy, form, activity and guide above, plus Polly, for £14.99/month or £99/year.
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