Have your say on the Children and Families Bill!!

[sarah707]

Just a little reminder that this consultation finishes on 28 April.

If you have not responded yet and need support please ask!

Here are some inspirational blogs and articles which make it clear to me why every single one of us needs to make our voices heard

Cathy Nutbrown responds to 'More Great Childcare' -

BBC News - Nursery ratio plans criticised by government adviser

Researchers at the University of Oxford and the Institute of Education, London respond to 'More Great Childcare' -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/87nfddq408...rch%202013.pdf

Julian Grenier responds to 'More Great Childcare' -

Inside the secret garden: Can we afford not to provide high quality early education and care? Cathy Nutbrown responds to More Great Childcare

And of course YOU guys all contributed to the Childminding Forum's response to 'More Great Childcare' -

www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/mgc

Don't let this opportunity to have your say pass you by guys!

Whatever happens in the future - at least we can say - we tried our best

[lizann]

sent mine days ago but cant see it on their site ???

[sarah707]

sent mine days ago but cant see it on their site ???

Mine took weeks before it appeared... it's there now but it was ages!

[loocyloo]

i have been writing and re-writing this letter and tonight - pressed send! all 6 pages of it!

only a few days to go now until the deadline

Well done you!

... and thank you for the reminder - yes - only a few more days to go guys!

[sarah707]

Thank you to all those childminders who replied to the consultation. It is rumbling through parliament at the moment - with the next reading in the House of Lords.

Sharon Hodgson MP and Meg Hillier MP are firmly on the side of children - and childminders - and early years professionals - and parents who are trying to stop the worst parts of this bill from going through.

We live in hope that they will stop agencies - but we know they are being trialled very soon - and consulted on AFTER the trial!

......................................

Here on the Childminding Forum we want to support every single childminder, whether you want to join an agency or stay independent.

We will do that by ensuring up-to-date information, advice and guidance is always freely available to any childminder who needs it - regardless of what they want to do with their business.

The forum is busier than ever - the Facebook Independent Childminders group already has 900+ members - we have a new website for you which will share information and good practice - and we are committed to continuing to support you!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/inde...tchildminders/

Website - Independent Childminders - Supporting each other

Free resources - Free Childminding Resources

There are also lots of pinned posts in 'general childminding chat' which contain information and advice for everyone!

If you want us to produce guides to support you with other areas of practice please ask