CHILDMINDING AGENCIES

CHILDMINDING AGENCIES

by: Karine - 10-02-13 12:55

Elizabeth Truss has proposed changes in 2 areas for childminders.  The much talked about RATIO change and the quiet under the carpet route of CHILDMINDING AGENCIES.

Everyone seems to have focussed on the ratio element.  But WAKE UP!!! - the agencies are going to be trialled in September 2013!   Which means they will probably go ahead.  At this moment in time they are not divulging who these first agencies are - or in which counties. 

Ms Truss and the Government have not consulted Childminders about their full intentions - and have no desire to unless WE force her to take that route.  Yes mumsnet have thankfully touched on Childminding agencies - but the focus again was mainly on the child ratio!

The NCMA to my mind have also not been seen to be as publically active as I would have hoped (perhaps they are going to be agency reps!!  watch this space).  The NCMA needs to put out a full consultation with all the relevant aspects of our job roles and how these will be affected - to include the proposals of how these agencies will be run, the cost to the childminder, parent and our full business!

Currently my local authority provide training, support, information, seminars, conferences for childminders for an incredibly small fee (peanuts!).  They also have fantastic Childminding Development Officers/advisors who fully support the childminders from those who are interested in the business - train them, then visit, building up an incredible rapport from start to finish. - Will the agencies do this?

In order for any changes to be made in the way that the current system works - the current law must be analysed - new changes proposed and then  passed through parliament to make a new law.  Yet Childminders who are currently the STAKEHOLDERS in their own BUSINESS have not and will not be surveyed.  At least to date nothing has been mentioned!  It will simply pass quietly through parliament.

The NCMA to my knowledge as of yet have only surveyed Childminders on Ratio's - which I find astounding (I could be wrong though!) - a consultation has not been developed with regards Childminders and their feelings with regards belonging to an agency and the implications for their business, training, help, support, fees, grading, if they can claim FEET funding, EYFE funding,  to include their own business fees/ charges and autonomy overall.

I urge ALL Childminders to read Nursery World, All Governemnt documentation closely, and then contact the NCMA and urge them to represent us all by lobying the governement to undertake a full investigation into the views of ALL childminders - BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

by: Amanda Carmichael

NCMA has publically stated its opposition to childminding agencies and a recent poll on our website indicated that 94% of those polled thought an agency inspection model was a bad idea.

NCMA has taken the decision not to support the DfE’s request that it joins the task and finish group that will advise it on the development of the agency model. NCMA sees the agency model as only likely to damage childminding’s hard won reputation and future sustainability. This and the fact our members have overwhelming rejected the proposal, means it would serve no purpose to provide our expertise and advice on how best to make the model work for childminding in England. We do not wish NCMA involvement to give the agency model any credibility so do not intend to advise formally or informally on its development. Our focus will remain on supporting individual childminders to sustain their childcare businesses and delivery high standards of care and learning.

by: Karine

That's great news.  However why is it not enough childminders fully understand the implications?

by: Tunja

Have you seen this? The 34 page analysis of the 'great childcare plan' is particularly interesting.

CHILDCARE COMMUNITY SAYS OVERWHELMING 'NO' TO TRUSS' PLANS

A petition against Government plans to change the ratios of the number of adults to children in early years settings such as nurseries and registered childminders has received more than 21,000 signatures in less than 3 weeks.

The petition (www.keepratiosdown.co.uk), started by the Childminding Forum (Childminding Forum - The UK's largest online forum for Registered Childminders), the UK's largest free online community for registered childminders, was written after forum members voiced their concerns about the potential effects of increased ratios and has since gained the support of other childcare professionals and parents.

Sarah Neville, an Ofsted Outstanding rated registered childminder for 19 years, says the 'More Great Childcare' proposals announced recently by Elizabeth Truss, Minister for Education and Childcare, are "likely to put the well being, health, safety and education of our youngest and most vulnerable children under threat".

Sarah, who claims that the proposals create more questions than answers, has produced a 34 page analysis of the plan - http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/mgc - and is asking the Government to urgently reconsider its plans on ratios and other changes such as the introduction of childminder agencies. Members of the Childminding Forum say they want to remain independent and do not want agencies in their local areas.

Sarah added: "We have listened to childminder concerns and our analysis of the 'More Great Childcare' plan challenges the Government to answer urgent questions which childminders throughout the country are asking".

For more information, please read ‘‘More Great Childcare’ - an analysis of the Government’s plans written by Childminders’ - http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/mgc.

And please respond to the Government’s plans by -

• Signing the petition against changes to ratios - www.keepratiosdown.co.uk.

• Writing to your MP to discuss your concerns - Letter writing - more ideas!.

• Handing out leaflets to inform and advise others - Leaflet for parents / other settings / childminders etc.

On a personal note - I would like to thank to every forum member who has commented about the 'More Great Childcare' plan - on the forum threads, by pm, by email and personally.

You have all made valuable contributions to the writing of this document.

I would also like to thank my proof readers - who all deserve a gold star!

Please share this press release and document - it has been written for childminders and other early years professionals everywhere!

We need to make our voices heard

by: Laura Henry

Here is my letter for parents:

http://laurachildcare.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/changes-to-childcare-for-parents/

Link to the petition backed by NDNA, PSLA & NCMA.

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/department-for-education-drop-plans-to-increase-child-to-adult-ratios

Penny, has also kindly created one place for all the information relating to MGC. 'One voice' 

http://togetherforquality.com/