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…
There has been a great deal of confusion over the need for a mobile phone and camera policy from September and what specifically it should say.
Page 13 of the Statutory Framework states;
3.4 Providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. Providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children. These should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting.
Therefore you will need to include statements on the use of mobile phones and cameras within your safeguarding policy. The specifics that you write are up to you.
A template for the use of mobile phones and cameras will be included in the August edition of the Essential Childminder Magazine, which can be printed or copied for your own use ready for September.
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.”
The Children’s Workforce Development Council closed on 31st March 2012 urging the government to continue the drive for a graduate-led and level 3 based early years workforce.
CWDC’s work has now transferred to the Teaching Agency (TA) and the Department for Education (DfE).
Integrated Working is transferring to the Children’s Information Board (CIB)
Useful Links:
http://www2.cwdcouncil.org.uk/
Do you know what Schema this child has used in this drawing?
Do you know what a schema is?
Schemas are very useful to assist in planning developmentally appropriate activities based on the child’s preferred schematic method of learning.
Turn to pages 20 – 27 of the current April 2012 edition of Essential Childminder Magazine to read more and explore the different types of schemas.
4Children comment on Nutbrown interim report
Responding to the publication of the interim report of Cathy Nutbrown’s Review of Early Education and Childcare Qualifications, Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said:
“This report is raising important issues for the sector. We welcome the ambition for the workforce that Cathy Nutbrown clearly communicates within the report and her recognition that there will be no quick fix solution to how to standardise early years qualifications and up-skill those working in the sector.
“It is positive that the review process has involved such meaningful engagement with the sector and has been a very valuable opportunity to test ideas before the publication of the final report this summer.
“The suggestion of introducing a licence to work in early years is brave and forward thinking and we fully support this. The care and education of our children is of utmost importance and it seems only right that we provide children and their parents with the kind of assurance of quality that we have come to expect as a norm in other professions and positions of trust.”
The Safer Food, Better Business pack for childminders is available to download from the FSA website or you can order your copy by giving them a call.
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/regulation/hygleg/hyglegresources/sfbb/sfbbchildminders/
The pack gives simple, straightforward advice on food safety, including information on feeding babies and children, cooking, cleaning, chilling and looking after a child with a food allergy.
It is designed to help childminders:
The early years industry places a great deal of emphasis on Continuous Professional Development and with ongoing developments in childcare frameworks it is more important than ever to keep knowledge and skills updated.
How easy is it however to do this? Todays current economic climate means funding is almost non-existent for training courses and courses that are available are not always tailored for childminders in content, time availablility or cost.
Here at ECM we would like to gauge an idea of what types of training course you would like to have access to as childminders. Please fill in the form below to submit your responses, they are annonymous.
These are only a selection of the hundreds of topics relating to childcare and childminding please add any additional ideas to the end of the form.
