Networks - formal and informal and non members of networks

[Pipsqueak]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:



Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?



What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)



Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?



If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?


What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc


clients - parents and children


other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?



Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?






thank you muchly xxxx

[wellybelly]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:



Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?

No, only aware of the one I attand

What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)

Informal


Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?

For networking, sharing ideas and good practice, can be lonely at times this job and keeping up to date with legislation / news / other infoIf you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?



What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc

good for networkking and mentioning in the SEF that you network, can share / learn new ideas, I do find the job lonely so great to meet up with people who know what the job is like


clients - parents and children

Children get somewhere different to be for a change, great resources at our childrens centre. Parents can see our day involves outings and the professional aspect of sharing ideas etc
other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?

Sometimes no one goes so it can be a wasted journey

Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?

Yes






thank you muchly xxxx

No problem xxxxx

[The Juggler]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:


yes, no network formal or informal - the one at cc could hardly be called that. have lobbied our esey team for years for a network and we've had 2 meetings for a pilot group to set up a formal one but all on hold at present

Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?

as above.

What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)

I am highly involved at children's centre but there is no network :(

Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?



If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?

because I think it's a way of having a support group, to reassess your practice with outside eyes (but less formal than ofsted), offers opportunity to offer NEG places, offers extended trainign opportunities and a chance to meet likeminded minders (hopefully)

What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc

as above
clients - parents and childre

equality of choice (if NEG decides where they would like to send their children) having the reassurance that their childminder is open to more regular self assessment and outside assessment from LA

other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?

I think it depends on who is running the network and how it is run.

Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?






thank you muchly xxxx




pleasure! how's it all going hon?

[teacake2]

Being thick here, but how do I reply to it?:blush: :blush:
Teacake2

[Pipsqueak]

If you want to reply directly to my questions then you click on quote and type under the questions......


outside the quote though you need to put something even if its just dots...........................

hth:thumbsup:


thank you for your replies so far peeps. keep 'em coming!

its going ok Juggler - just need to get my rear end into a higher gear

[mushpea]

COLOR]
Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:

I]Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?

am aware of 1

What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)[/I]

yes, children come first

Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?

because I am acredeited


If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?


What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc


clients - parents and children
No idea,, I have never had any contact from anyone from the network other than the checks they do,, I dont get any help from them,, I dont know of anymeet ups in our area,, there dosent seem to be any other reason to be on the network other than because i am accreditedother (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?



Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?
dont know , the inspector did ask to see my certificate tho





thank you muchly xxxxe

basicly I think the network is a waste of time as i have never recived anything ie help etc from it

[Trouble]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .

My pleasure pip

Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?


yes,
What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)

i am working towards accreditation but nothing else

Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?

i find things round here very clicky and the atmosphere isnt good

If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?


What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;
it would be good to swap ideas and policies etc
you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc


clients - parents and children


other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?



Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?
No


sorry did try:panic:

[sarah707]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:



Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?


We are all members of a new 'partnership'. The network was disbanded.

We have different levels within the partnership.

What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)

It's formal run by the childminding partnership coordinators (new title to go with the new partnership).


Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?

As we are all in it we all get offered training opportunities, some resources and money when there was some.

If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?


What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc


clients - parents and children


other (ie LA, network as a whole)

Benefits as above... plus visits from partnership coordinator and children's centre access

Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?

Not really

Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?

No the inspector wasn't interested.

I had my coordinator visit evaluations in my file which she looked at briefly and it was nice to show extra training etc...





thank you muchly xxxx

Hope that helps :D

[Polly2]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:



Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?
There are no networks in our area, but there are pockets of cm's who meet up together



What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)
I am trying to set up a network locally myself with the support of ncma and flying start


Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?
I think its important to have some peer support, I also feel cm's are taken more seriously as profesionals when they belong to a group


If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?
I have noticed that now word is getting round that there maybe a network/group soon I am being approached with training opportunities so I think that is a major advantage

What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;
training, support, passing on enquiries, sharing planning, doing things together as a group such as trips - good for children to be involved in larger groups
you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc


clients - parents and children


other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?

I suppose the extra paperwork!

Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?
CSSIW - I don't think so, although my inspection is due so I will let you know!





thank you muchly xxxx

Hope that helps :)

[miss mopple]

Here you go :D


Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?
Yes


What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)
NCMA CCF



Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?
I joined several years ago as I wanted to offer care through social services and this was the only way. I have had no placements as yet as there isn't much call in my area and when opportunities have arisen I havnt had space, but I continue to be a member as I believe it has a positive impact on me personally and my business



If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?


What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;

you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc
It boosts my professional confidence. The training I have recieved through it has been superb and helped me improve my practice. The support and advice given by my development worker has been invaluable at times. I also enjoy the social aspect and being able to meet other childminders

clients - parents and children
The fact that I am monitored for quality practice regularly is a real selling point to parents and they feel that the children continue to benefit from the training etc I recieve and put into practice in my setting. The children love the groups etc that we attend and it helps them meet and socialise with a wider range of children

other (ie LA, network as a whole)


Are there any disadvantages of being in a network?
I have recently been told that as a network childminder I now have to be accredited and deliver EYE. This is not something I particularly want to have to do,but I will as I like being on the network for all the above reasons so I'll just get on with it :rolleyes:



Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?
Yes. Without all the extra info and advice I have recieved through it I am fairly sure I wouldn't have got such a high grade at my last inspection

[Penny1959]

Just doing a bit of research.and would REALLY appreciate everyones input please .:thumbsup:



Are you aware of the different types of network available in your area?

Yes Worcestershire disbanded the old network and now have accredited childminders and non accredited childminders.

However many other smaller infomal 'networks'


What sort of network, if any, do you belong to? (formal, informal, CCF, community, LA run etc)

I have started my own informal network of childminders who share my ethos and professionals - mainly ex colleagues from when I worked for LA and who support what I have set up in their own time

Why do you attend/belong to this network? If you don't attend/belong to a network, why not?

I do not belong to the Worcestershire one and therefore I am not accredited because I am strongly against how they now assess accredited childminders and the watering down of the ccf model. Some will say it is because of sour grapes as I used to be the Network coordinator before the changes were made

If you don't attend/belong to a network - would you like to and why?

Do not want to join Worestershires one - more than happy with what I have in place

What do you think the benefits/advantages are of belonging to your network are ;


you - impact on practice/setting, you personally etc
Would be no impact for me personally or for my setting

clients - parents and children

Parents would be able to access NEF if I was accredited - however at the moments most mindees are to young for NEF and the one who is able to access NEF - does not as parent more than happy with care and education that I provide. Next one to become eligible will alsop not be accessing - for same reason.
other (ie LA, network as a whole)

LA can say offers choice to parents where children can access NEFAre there any disadvantages of being in a network?



Do you beleive/think network membership impacts positively upon your Ofsted inspection?

For me personally - I don't think so - but then coming from the role that I did and having sopent 3 years as NCMA staff as ccf network coordinator - I am able to manage / motivate / reflect/ continually improve my practice (not being big headed that was my job so these skills have not left me)




thank you muchly xxxx

Hope this helps

Penny :)