Latest blow for some childminders!!!

[FloraDora]

Early years annual report from our friend Michael Wilshire ::
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/about-ofsted/speeches/Early%20Years%20Annual%20Report%201213%20-%20Unsure%20start%20-%20HMCI%20speech.doc

Quote:' Are childminders the solution? No, for the simple reason that there aren’t enough good childminders with the necessary skills and qualifications in deprived areas'

Thank you Michael!!!!

Death knell for childminders in an area of deprivation or what?!!

The problem is there is a little truth in what he is saying, not about schools being best but that proper childminders may not live in the catchment of a child in a deprived area, parents don't want to go out of area so school is on the doorstep.
Plus the deprived funding is low, parents from a deprived area sometimes bring loads of baggage which is difficult for a childminder to support and finance issues in paying for extra hours cause headaches sometimes.
So some childminders shy away from the 2 year funding, the schools develop 2 year places then children stay for 3&4 - so childminders eventually are just used by middle class parents who want a home setting and can afford to pay.

I get the feeling that childminders future could be in some jeopardy.

I confess - I have had a career of working with children and families in a deprived area and so I am one of the childminders shying away from offering my services for the 2 year funded children. I am lucky that my connections enable me to work with families that are in education based careers and so I don't have any financial payment issues and I keep my 40 year 'used to summer break - ' but I sympathise with those trying to run a business in an area of some deprivation.

I wonder - does anyone in politics today think that if the children in deprived areas have such a bad prospect that we shouldn't start supporting and educating parents?? I have worked with 100's of families who are living on the edge financially and morally, in awful circumstances, yet want wonderful things for their children and bust a gut to make sure they are ' school ready' in the areas of MW's list - I feel hurt for them now as they are being bungled together with the parents who are not parenting well - sort out these parents I feel as the 15 hour placements on offer are not going to resolve much when a child spends the rest of the week - 153 hours with parents who need support and help to enable their children to be brought up in an appropriate for their future aspirations way.

Soap box opinion over!

[mum67]

Since coming into childminding which isn't long ago and reading about 2 year funding, agencies and the vast amount of criticism childminders get from all levels I came to the conclusion the government want rid of independent childminders and agencies only so they control the whole system of childcare their way. Which as we all know is anyway, this way, which way depending on who is in office and what silly changes they make just to put their mark on things regardless of the outcome.
I for one really hope they don't win and get their way as I want to make a go of this and succeed for myself, my children and the children and families I work with giving them the best and affordable childcare I can regardless of the background they come from.
What p***** me off more is the way childminders get such a raw deal from these politicians who know nothing about this brilliant workforce and the hard work and effort they put into their jobs. Unlike said politicians who are in charge of education one minute, immigration the next and then possibly another move to environmental health and suddenly know all about it all and are able to say who is best and who is not at what they do.
B*****ks all of it.

[Simona]

Early years annual report from our friend Michael Wilshire ::
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/about-ofsted/speeches/Early%20Years%20Annual%20Report%201213%20-%20Unsure%20start%20-%20HMCI%20speech.doc

Quote:' Are childminders the solution? No, for the simple reason that there aren’t enough good childminders with the necessary skills and qualifications in deprived areas'

Thank you Michael!!!!

Death knell for childminders in an area of deprivation or what?!!

The problem is there is a little truth in what he is saying, not about schools being best but that proper childminders may not live in the catchment of a child in a deprived area, parents don't want to go out of area so school is on the doorstep.
Plus the deprived funding is low, parents from a deprived area sometimes bring loads of baggage which is difficult for a childminder to support and finance issues in paying for extra hours cause headaches sometimes.
So some childminders shy away from the 2 year funding, the schools develop 2 year places then children stay for 3&4 - so childminders eventually are just used by middle class parents who want a home setting and can afford to pay.

I get the feeling that childminders future could be in some jeopardy.

I confess - I have had a career of working with children and families in a deprived area and so I am one of the childminders shying away from offering my services for the 2 year funded children. I am lucky that my connections enable me to work with families that are in education based careers and so I don't have any financial payment issues and I keep my 40 year 'used to summer break - ' but I sympathise with those trying to run a business in an area of some deprivation.

I wonder - does anyone in politics today think that if the children in deprived areas have such a bad prospect that we shouldn't start supporting and educating parents?? I have worked with 100's of families who are living on the edge financially and morally, in awful circumstances, yet want wonderful things for their children and bust a gut to make sure they are ' school ready' in the areas of MW's list - I feel hurt for them now as they are being bungled together with the parents who are not parenting well - sort out these parents I feel as the 15 hour placements on offer are not going to resolve much when a child spends the rest of the week - 153 hours with parents who need support and help to enable their children to be brought up in an appropriate for their future aspirations way.

Soap box opinion over!

This is Wilshaw at his best and worst...I agree with some of his points but not others
venting his anger at cms will not resolve the problems created by DfE et al led by Truss and Gove who have now disappeared from the limelight

He does get his facts wrong at times...
- cms can be accessed even without their names on the website because we have a right to be protected as we operate from home not a nursery

- Health and Education do not talk to each other?...too right...we have been saying that a long time...see Progress check at 2 for an example

-cms are not the solution? ...where will he find the missing 65,000 places for 2 year olds ? while many experts say cms are best for these vulnerable children Wilshaw says we are not good enough and there aren't enough of us....blame the LAs then for the lack of uniform support to cms and not enough of us...it is their duty to provide enough childcare
So when is he going to stop LAs imposing conditions on cms?...(see my post on this earlier today in this forum)


- CMs have no qualifications in his view...so why has the DfE refused to make qualifications at Level 3 compulsory for cms which was due to be enforced in 2015 by the previous govt?

-cms are not good enough?...well there is room for improvement for us as well as group settings and statistic say cms do well at inspections

- Frank Field did report about readiness for school in his excellent research...that was in 2010...under this govt so what have they done about it? put children in school at 2...no child will ever be ready at that age...sorry Wilshaw ...look at child development please

- Schools should lead EY provision? no because school is for compulsory age at 5 1/4 and they cannot fit children in who are at that legal age because classes are taken by 3, 4 and now 2 year olds who should be in EY settings
Classes size are now exceeding 30 pupils but this is Labour's fault?

- Pupil premium should go to schools not EY...that is just politics and Lib Dems rhetoric...money should follow the child

- Nick Hudson has recently stated that CMs agencies will be best placed to recruit cms in areas where there is a shortage and ..yet.. those who run them need no qualifications or knowledge of EY?

Wilshaw is no CMs' friend and he should learn that Ofsted should be independent of govt' politics

Sorry my soap box has just collapsed under my feet due to high levels of anger :angry::angry:







-

[mum67]

:laughing:we'll make you another soap box Simona from a milk crate, kitchen roll inserts and baco foil ready by tomorrow :p
Your post says it all. They contradict each other and this weeks news about Dfe and Ofsted about Agencies proves your right.
As I've stated many times I used to work in a school and from starting nursery upto going into year 1 I can't say they were all 'ready for school' even though they had been there for 2 to 3 years and they were in school during the EY so what does that say.
Anyway must dash I have a soap box to make before I'm downgraded for not engaging in role play:D

[Chatterbox Childcare]

When the whole system of agencies and 2 year old funding came about it was because of bad provision in deprived areas. this has not changed - yet so he is rigt to say so. He is looking after every area of the country and if there are not enough "good" (as in grading) childminders in the deprived areas then he is just saying so.

Can't see why everyone takes honest and proven facts so personally.

We all know that we do a fantastic job but it is not us he is getting at.

Step away and look at it as an overall view rather than our own bubble.

It is little children he is looking out for, our next generation

[Mouse]

Isn't this an old report anyway?

[Simona]

You are right to say that bad provision has not improved in some area Chatterbox...I agree...but are those cms and other providers receiving the same support as elsewhere in the country? no because the LA is at fault

Maybe in those areas there was no network? pacey would know about that because network were like a lottery...I wonder if a network would have made a difference to those cms?
The issue in these deprived area is not a new one...it has been there for a long time...there are not enough good providers and there are not enough places for 2 year olds

So I would like to know why OFSTED is introducing 'Getting Good Seminars' for those providers judged RI/Inadequate ...BUT...these exclude CMs?

These seminars are for practice improvement and will be run by Ofsted inspectors alongside LAs
when asked at Ofsted Big Conversation the panel in London had no reply to the question and recently Nick Hudson went round the question too ...I think that was when he co-hosted #EYtalking on twitter...eventually he admitted cms 'may' be allowed to join these seminars

Why would an inspectorate keen on improvement exclude the very sector they then attack as poor in provision?

No ...not all of us do a fantastic job...there is room for improvement in the whole sector but at least we can say we are trying under constant changes and with little support

I certainly do not live in a bubble...as a cm I work with other providers and have always strived for better effective relationships with them...how many cms can say they have satisfactory professional dealings with other schools or others in the sector?...few I fear judging by the posts here


This is about disadvantaged children...if Wilshaw is so keen...as he is right to speak up for them...he would tell the DfE to get its act together
As a rich country we should not have children living in poverty in the 1st place...sorry if it sounds like a cliché
If funding was adequate for providers many more would come forward and offer free or subsidised places...this matter is currently in the news

We have wasted time and words on silly agencies...which Wilshaw is very keen on... when the issue of the 2 year olds is still not resolved for CMs....and there is little that will change unless we ourselves raise the issue and concerns

Must dash now because I have to call both my LA and Af2YO about that very subject....funding and equality for cms and 2 year olds.

My view of course

PS...yes Mouse it is dated April 2014 but still as relevant as ever

[Mouse]

Here's his newest offering:

Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw: Headteachers should not be afraid to say (http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/ofsted-chief-sir-michael-wilshaw-headteachers-should-not-be-afraid-to-say-youre-a-bad-parent-9708134.html?origin=internalSearch)

[mrsb79]

He's such a cockerel, I am in a deprived area and had an enquiry about 2 yr funding yesterday which I don't currently offer personal choice got no issues having the kids but the space taken for less than the hourly fee would be suicide for my business. However can someone clear this up for me, I was under the impression you had to be in receipt of certain benefits to access the 2yr funding is this still correct ? X

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

[Mouse]

He's such a cockerel, I am in a deprived area and had an enquiry about 2 yr funding yesterday which I don't currently offer personal choice got no issues having the kids but the space taken for less than the hourly fee would be suicide for my business. However can someone clear this up for me, I was under the impression you had to be in receipt of certain benefits to access the 2yr funding is this still correct ? X

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

This is what the government website says:

2-year-olds
Some 2-year-olds in England can also get free early education and childcare.

You must be getting one of the following:

Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190
the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Working Tax Credits and earn £16,190 a year or less
Children are also entitled to a place if:

they’re looked after by a local council
they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
they get Disability Living Allowance
they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is

[bunyip]

Since the deprivation is a direct result of Capitalism, indeed Capitalism depends upon creating such a deprived underclass, there is a more straightforward solution.

It's just a shame it wouldn't suit those who create the deprivation. :(

[Simona]

I have just picked this up on Twitter from PLA @Under 5mag

'Ofsted's Sir M Wilshaw says that funded 2YOs should go to school-based nurseries, "not the local childminder"...

''The solution Wilshaw proffers is a major expansion of school based nurseries. If we are going to do something radical to promote social mobility it's too late by the time these youngsters are 11 or 16.
With poor families now getting 15 hours free provision of childcare, the government should try to ensure they go to a school-based nursery not a local childminder''

I am sure PLA will comment on that!

[teacake2]

I am glad that I am just getting my last little one to school and then I am finishing, I cannot take anymore of this, it doesn't matter who the people are they are all very disrespectful to CMs and this one is the last straw for me. I am proud of the work I do, I have spent a lot of time and money (of my own not what I have earned) in providing a home from home setting for my mindees, specialising in children with special needs a lot of the time because nurseries wouldn't take them. During the 30 years I have been minding we were better thought of in my early days than we are now, if different religious groups were treated like we are then there would have been a major country wide outcry, but as the man says we are only the local childminder so are in his eyes the lowest of the low.
Roll on July 2016 when I can say good bye to all the abuse we (and I don't use this lightly) have had to suffer over the last few years especially.
Sorry about the rant this has finished me.
Teacake2:(:(:(

[Simona]

Aaaarrgghhh :angry:

I want to get off this computer but the discussion on Twitter about Wilshaw's remarks is now widening....parents, teachers, PLA, EYE, Ofsted and others are joining in and now our new childcare minister has been involved or asked for his views.

Someone come and join forces if you are not working!!

Teacake...I feel the same ...just tweeted that Wilshaw is discriminating against CMs who despite the odds are raising their game so his return to CMs bashing is biased
I doubt he knows what goes on at local level :mad:

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I have just picked this up on Twitter from PLA @Under 5mag

'Ofsted's Sir M Wilshaw says that funded 2YOs should go to school-based nurseries, "not the local childminder"...

''The solution Wilshaw proffers is a major expansion of school based nurseries. If we are going to do something radical to promote social mobility it's too late by the time these youngsters are 11 or 16.
With poor families now getting 15 hours free provision of childcare, the government should try to ensure they go to a school-based nursery not a local childminder''

I am sure PLA will comment on that!

This would be a money saving exercise then

[mrsb79]

Thanks mouse think that parent was trying to pull a fast one as her hubby has a good job !!! I won't be getting tangled up in that family.
We all do amazing jobs for the families we work for and it's so disheartening to keep being bashed, in my local area there are 4 primary schools and only 3 have nurseries that are full to capacity and I really can't see how they would expand. I also still stand by the fact that 2 is far too young to be in a school environment and like miss truss I would invite mr wilshaw to spend a day working with me perhaps then we might get some recognition for the work we do seen's as I am in such a deprived area !!! X

Sent from my iPhone using Childminding Forum

[Simona]

This would be a money saving exercise then

I think so...no I actually am convinced of that.

If we go back to July 2012 when Wilshaw said in NWorld he wanted CMs out of the EYFS and just doing the caring and then added: Cms are too expensive to register and educate?

So far he has not achieved and it must be annoying to him that we are still around....independent as ever and kicking and screaming

[Simona]

You will be pleased to know that the DfE has been tweeting this today...hope you can see it
https://www.gov.uk/free-early-education

They have added a poster advertising free childcare for 2 year olds with a CM with the comment below from a parent

If someone was considering using a childminder I would say it’s a home away from home.”



Sorry Wilshaw but it looks like your comments are not in line with DfE policy! :thumbsup: better if you stick to your remit: inspections! :D

[mum67]

Whoop Whoop Simona. Finally all the hard work of you forum members who represent us and campaign on our behalf are getting us recognised by someone who actually counts-the parent.
Thank you Dfe for publishing this poster. I want one :laughing:

[Simona]

Whoop Whoop Simona. Finally all the hard work of you forum members who represent us and campaign on our behalf are getting us recognised by someone who actually counts-the parent.
Thank you Dfe for publishing this poster. I want one :laughing:

I have to say I do like that little poster...would be nice in our portfolio!

Any campaign is only as good as the number of cms who join in...we have had a few battles on our hands...and I am sure we will have a few more... but it is a collective effort.

[Simona]

Here's his newest offering:

Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw: Headteachers should not be afraid to say (http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/ofsted-chief-sir-michael-wilshaw-headteachers-should-not-be-afraid-to-say-youre-a-bad-parent-9708134.html?origin=internalSearch)

I have been meaning to thank you for sharing that infamous article Mouse
You started it all ;)

[rickysmiths]

Here's his newest offering:

Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw: Headteachers should not be afraid to say (http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/ofsted-chief-sir-michael-wilshaw-headteachers-should-not-be-afraid-to-say-youre-a-bad-parent-9708134.html?origin=internalSearch)

I actually think that a lot of what he says about parents is true. Parents are lazy because they are busy with work and they expect other people to raise their children fro them, Nursery, Childminder, school. If their child isn't perfect and top of the class it is everyone elses fault not the wonderful hard working parents fault :panic:

I have minded parents who are to busy to go to parents evenings, too busy to return permission slips for trips, never read to their children, rarely ever eat a meal with them and saddest of all don't see that they are doing anything wrong. They have their holiday abroad, the children have all the latest gadgets, toys and clothes and the parent does see that this is not enough, they need to invest time with their children and be interested in what they are doing at school etc. This is why I refuse to do homework with after school children. It is about time that many parents realised that it is not the amount of money you pour into your children it is the time you invest that matters.

[rickysmiths]

I have to say I do like that little poster...would be nice in our portfolio!

Any campaign is only as good as the number of cms who join in...we have had a few battles on our hands...and I am sure we will have a few more... but it is a collective effort.

I can't see a poster how do I find it? The links opens a Gov page.

[hectors house]

I actually think that a lot of what he says about parents is true. Parents are lazy because they are busy with work and they expect other people to raise their children fro them, Nursery, Childminder, school. If their child isn't perfect and top of the class it is everyone elses fault not the wonderful hard working parents fault :panic:

I have minded parents who are to busy to go to parents evenings, too busy to return permission slips for trips, never read to their children, rarely ever eat a meal with them and saddest of all don't see that they are doing anything wrong. They have their holiday abroad, the children have all the latest gadgets, toys and clothes and the parent does see that this is not enough, they need to invest time with their children and be interested in what they are doing at school etc. This is why I refuse to do homework with after school children. It is about time that many parents realised that it is not the amount of money you pour into your children it is the time you invest that matters.

I do agree that parents do need to take responsibility for their own children - when I get upset because I haven't managed to fit in x,y & z with a child who only comes one day a week, my husband always points out to me that other people are involved in the educating of the child and that I shouldn't take on all the responsibility/blame.

I had a parent give notice because I wouldn't do a phonics work book with the child - child was just 3. On the leaving form she wrote in the comments box that it was a great shame that I wouldn't do the work book as child really liked doing it and as working parents they were too busy. I had child one day a week, she was at Nursery 2 days and at home with parents 4 days a week (inc weekend). I said I already included lots of mark making experiences, including encouraging her to trace over her name on her art work but that I wasn't going to be a one to one tutor for £3.75 an hour.