network childminders

[jane5]

I know this question has been asked before but what are everybody's views on networks.

I have been invited to join and have been told there is free training ect....... do you all meet with the lo's and what kind of inspections do you have and extra paperwork?

Most post I have read on here are quite negative about networks. (I may have missed the positive posts).

I would be grateful of any opinions :thumbsup:

[QualityCare]

Not something l would join unless there was a purpose to it, there is one in my area and even though l wasn't in it l found it was just a way for childminders to get together and gossip about others who weren't networkers.

[georgie456]

I am on my local network.
I have only ever had a positive experience personally. No 'cliquiness' and great free training, an annual grant, lots of activities in school hols etc.
I have visits from my development officer (now I am accredited this is once a term) to see how I'm getting on. Luckily she is mum of a child at my DD's school so I know her quite well which makes the visits MUCH less painful! There's not much extra paperwork from what I was doing before. (to join I had to fill in a workbook, then another to join stage 2 and a further one to become accredited)
Inspections are the same. My inspector wasn't that interested in me being on the network - I had to nag at her to include it in my report!

I guess it really depends on your area.

[Andrea08]

hi im on 3 local networks ... teen parent with care to learn, specialist for SEN and the accreditation for the grant..

loads of free training, ncma paperwork and some meetings and cm groups

well worth it even if the DO is up her own :censored:

sometimes the monitory visits are a pain but most of the time i get a lot out of it,

go for it you can always leave if you feel its not for you x

[Greengrass74]

I am on my local network.
I have only ever had a positive experience personally. No 'cliquiness' and great free training, an annual grant, lots of activities in school hols etc.
I have visits from my development officer (now I am accredited this is once a term) to see how I'm getting on, and not much extra paperwork from what I was doing before. (to join I had to fill in a workbook, then another to join stage 2 and a further one to become accredited)
Inspections are the same. My inspector wasn't that interested in me being on the network - I had to nag at her to include it in my report!

I guess it really depends on your area.

Pretty much the same, Claire is on our local network (I will be joining shortly). All our experiences are positive, lots of get togethers, there is no clickiness, and it is as the word suggests a great way to network, learn from others and share experiences. It is also a good way of getting your name out there. We have loads of free training and have a great DO. Yes there was initially a lot of paperwork, but now we are on top of it, it is fine.

[manjay]

My experience is a very positive one.There are different types of networks so it really depends on what you have in your area.

The one in our county is a NCMA Children Come First Community and Early Education network. There was initial paperwork to join and I have monitoring visits which I don't have a problem with. this then allows me to deliver Early Years education to 3 year olds and funded places to 2 year olds. there are also community placements for families in need. The training through mine is great and currently 75% of my mindees are from one scheme or another so definitely worthwhile imo:thumbsup:

[blue bear]

Since the cuts, training, drop in's and home visits have been cut. We still have an annual training day which this year was outdoors and brilliant, the DO is really good very supportive at the other end of the phone. You need to be on the network and accredited here to take 3+ and 4 year old funding but can take 2year old finding if you have an nvq3 and on the network.

[Pipsqueak]

I am on local network since its inception. Its been a positive experience for me, I have enjoyed the contact and sharing with other likeminded minders, I have enjoyed the training opps and interaction, I have enjoyed the support. I am on all parts of the network - The Community, The Accredited.

Thing is we are now going over to LA controlled run instead of NCMA co-ordinator...:panic: we wait with baited breath....:rolleyes:

[georgie456]

I am on local network since its inception. Its been a positive experience for me, I have enjoyed the contact and sharing with other likeminded minders, I have enjoyed the training opps and interaction, I have enjoyed the support. I am on all parts of the network - The Community, The Accredited.

Thing is we are now going over to LA controlled run instead of NCMA co-ordinator...:panic: we wait with baited breath....:rolleyes:

My network is non-NCMA and it runs great. Don't panic yet!!! :)

[jane5]

Thanks for all of your replies :thumbsup:

I was a little apprehensive but after hearing all these positive replies I am looking forward to it now.

I go to a childminders drop in but there are only about 6 other cm's that use it and they are very friendly and welcoming but they dont all go every week so I am finding it harder to get into the click iykwim. I am starting to feel a bit isolated.

I am really busy and have 3 or 4 under 4yrs every day so I find it hard going to toddler groups on my own because the other mums look at me like I'm a mad woman running around after all the lo's while they sit and chat and only have 1 child.:laughing:

Hopefully I will get to meet more cm's :D