In December 2012 the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) were replaced by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
More information can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
Childminders_in_the_Netherlands
I recently came across this extremely interesting article produce by the National Daycare Trust, exploring the introduction of childminder agencies in the Netherlands. It highlights the negative effects it has had, and explains why they are looking to remove agencies in the near future…
The UK Childminding Association (UKCMA), an association dedicated purely to childminders, is welcoming members today following the launch of the members’ section on its website.
The UKCMA was created to help maintain and improve the standards in childminding and launched its website in September 2012. Now the Association is offering professional childminders the opportunity to tap into a wealth of industry information and voice their opinions with its brand new members’ section.
Childminders who join the UKCMA will have access to the latest news and information on legislation along with a host of download resources. Members will also be able to tap into a multitude of useful features including the ability to have their say through an innovative Questions and Answers section. Questions will be answered by the UKCMA’s online community and contributors will be able to rate the feedback given as well as following ‘Hot Questions’.
Members will also be able to make use of an industry-specific social media wall with feeds from all from relevant sources without members having to have any social media accounts of their own.
UKCMA will also provide information on training opportunities including e-learning that is delivered through the UKCMA’s training partners to ensure childminders continue to deliver exceptional learning and support to the children in their care.
Members also get to tap into some great exclusive benefits from our partners such as Morton Michel, the UKCMA’s associate insurance provider, Creative Steps magazine and Training Partner, Riverside Training. Members also get to tap into some great exclusive benefits from our partners such as Morton Michel, the UKCMA’s associate insurance provider, Creative Steps magazine and Training Partner, Riverside Training. Members also get to tap into some great exclusive benefits from our partners such as Morton Michel, the UKCMA’s associate insurance provider, Creative Steps magazine and Training Partner, Riverside Training.Members also get to tap into some our growing selection of exclusive member benefits from our partners such as Morton Michel, the UKCMA’s associate insurance provider amongst others. In addition to all this, members will also have access UKCMA’s 24 hour Helpline* for around the clock professional support.
Lynda De Wolf, co-founder and Director of UKCMA said, “The UKCMA is here to provide a much needed source of support for today’s childminders and we’re delighted to announce our members’ section is available.
“In addition to all the factual information and latest news, the members’ section is a place for childminders to have their say and ask other members ‘hot questions’ and kicking this off by inviting individual feedback on the OFSTED inspections.
“We are an online community here to make life easier for childminders. We are there for those who are just starting out as well as the more seasoned professional and our membership system is both flexible and hassle free.” added Lynda.
Membership to the UKCMA will be available on a monthly pay basis as well as an annual payment saving option.
* The 24 hour Helpline does not provide legal advice
We have some great news! On Monday 25th March you will be able to join as a member of UKCMA and discover a host of benefits including the opportunity to voice your opinions and have your say. Members can also get their questions answered by our online community, rate the feedback given and follow the ‘Hot Questions’.
Members’ features will not only include up-to-the-minute news and articles but an industry-specific social media wall with access to feeds from all the relevant sources and social networks without the need to have your own social media accounts.
You will also be able to tap into a packed information section full of articles and resources for download as well as UKCMA’s 24 hour Helpline for around the clock professional support*.
On top of all of this, our associate insurance provider, Morton Michel, will also
offering all UKCMA members a free pack of contracts (worth up to £26) to any
childminder who chooses to insure with them.
We will be in touch very shortly with more information ahead of our Members’ section launch.
*The 24 hour Helpline is not able to provide legal advice
The UKCMA team
http://www.ukcma.co.uk
The recent report written by Elizabeth Truss outlines proposed changes to the early years, including changes to ratios, the introduction of agencies and an overhaul of the current early years qualifications.
We will be reporting on the proposed changes throughout March and the report can be downloaded here;
The NCMA are changing their name to PACEY – Professional Association of Childcare in Early Years and incorporating all types of childcare settings in their membership services. Read more here…
http://www.ncma.org.uk/news/news/november_2012_news/a_change_of_name_for_ncma.aspx
In response the Pre-school Learning Alliance announced they are devising a membership package for childminders. Read more here…
The revised EYFS states that your first aid course now needs to be Local Authority approved.
Your existing certificate is still valid, it will be at the end of the 3 years when you need to update your first aid certificate that you will only be able to book on an LA approved course.
Has your LA approved more than one provider or do you now have a limited choice in paediatric first aid courses?
Page 17 of the Statutory Framework states;
3.24 At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings. First aid training must be local authority approved and be relevant for workers caring for young children. Childminders, and any assistant who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time, must hold a current paediatric first aid certificate.
I wanted to let you know that I have today published my final report titled ‘Foundation for Quality: Review of early education and childcare qualifications’. You can find this, along with my recommendations, via www.education.gov.uk/nutbrownreview.
Over the course of my Review I have been continually impressed with the levels of commitment and passion shown by so many people in different roles working with our young children. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to talk and listen to a large number of people and their representative organisations which has helped me to gain as clear a view as I can of the current picture in early education and childcare qualifications. I thank everyone who has contributed whether through my call for evidence, the consultation events, meeting with me, and writing to me personally.
Turning to my Final Report, I have sought to be both ambitious and realistic in terms of what it might achieve and how change may be brought about. My recommendations are set to improve the skills, knowledge and understanding of those who work with young children to give them a positive early education and childcare experience and the best possible start in life. It is based on firm evidence which shows that having a quality workforce helps young children grow, learn and develop in their early years and achieve a successful transition to school. I hope what I have said resonates with what you believe is of importance to you.
It will now be for the Government to consider and decide upon my recommendations, working together with the sector to make this vision a reality.
The full document can be downloaded by clicking here; {FD4DFC0E-5B6E-4B15-BB43-CF760009FA5F}NUTBROWN INTERIM REPORT FINAL (1)
Boosting quality of Early Years childcare professionals is vital say 4Children as they welcome Nutbrown Review Recommendations
Anne Longfield OBE – “The UK cannot afford to give its youngest children anything less”
4Children are happy to welcome the recommendations set out in today’s review by Professor Cathy Nutbrown into how to promote quality early years provision, ‘Foundations for Quality’.
The Review is proposing:
· Increased qualifications for those working in nurseries and for childminders.
· Literacy and numeracy to level 2 as the minimum entry requirement for any childcare course.
· Higher quality training for the childcare workforce.
· A new Early Years Qualified Teacher Status to grow the pedagogical leadership within the sector.
If the Government accepts the Review’s recommendations, early education and childcare could begin to enjoy the status of primary or secondary school teaching, rather than being viewed as a career where qualifications and professional development are of lesser importance
If properly implemented, this review could lead to a radical change in the early education and childcare sector – offering training and qualifications which are fit for purpose; challenging and rewarding job opportunities; with better-informed and better-developed staff who can intervene early to give children the support they need to grow and develop.
It offers to the workforce a strong professional identity, which will be valued by parents and wider society as well as stressing the importance of early childhood and how it should be understood , respected and valued in its’ own right.
The review offers a long term vision for the early years workforce with quality at the heart and supports the early years sector in driving its’ own improvement and reaching for high but achievable standards .
Crucially, these changes will require more investment – from government, both local and national, from providers and employers, and from staff themselves. Training will take longer, wages will need to increase, and investment in the quality of the early years workforce will need to grow.
Anne Longfield OBE, 4Children Chief Executive, had the following to say of the reforms:
“All the research shows that it is the quality of early years provision that makes the difference for children – especially for disadvantaged children who need help the most. Excellent early years workers can have a real impact on a child’s life chances – with long term benefits through school and beyond.
For too long, the early years has been seen as a lower status career option. This Review sets out a clear plan to raise the status of the sector and improve the quality of early years provision and in doing so increase the support for children.
Clearly the role of parents is also critical in the early years and we are pleased to see the government today publish the parent’s guide for the early years foundation stage. Along with better qualified staff and parents with the right support we can work together to get the early years foundation stage of to a flying start for our children.
If the Government wants to give children the best start in life it must accept the proposals and make the investment needed. This review presents a challenge to the government, but it is one to which ministers should rise.”
An on-line petition has been created against the de-regulation of childminders. It is very important that it get’s as many signatures as possible so please sign it by clicking the link below.
Remember to also share it with your other childminder friends to ensure everyone hears about it and gets a chance to sign.
http://www.change.org/petitions/uk-government-reject-proposals-to-deregulate-childminders
For more information on the governments consideration to de-regulate childminders please read the news bulletins available on our website and more will be available in the June 2012 edition of Essential Childminder Magazine.
