Will you be joining an agency?

[Simona]

I have posted this in another thread but worth putting here too as CMs always read posts about agencies

Please take this huge opportunity to do the PLA #EYAgenda survey...it covers ALL the reforms: agencies, Ofsted, schools, qualifications and a section for general comments

There is also the opportunity to comment on each of the other sections....so have your say, we are running out of time to be heard
The survey is confidential so say what you feel is important

The survey is here
https://www.pre-school.org.uk/whats-...BA72IB,84HGI,1

Also featured here
Pre-school Learning Alliance urges practitioners to share their views | Nursery World

If you are on twitter add #EYAgenda follow @Pre_schoolLA or @under5mag

Share on Facebook or anywhere else you like...email the link to all you know even LAs

The result of the survey will inform PLA EY manifesto for 2014-2017 and I have an interest in it as I am on the Policy Forum shaping the manifesto

It will also be the topic at the conference in June and I hope to be elected to their Board of Trustees to reflect the needs of registered CMs.

[cathtee]

Give it 3 years, tops, the law will be changed again and it will become compulsory for all childminders to be attached - I'd bet on it!

That we be the time I retire then, and find out if I like to be a lady of leisure

[Mummits]

I saw my DO for the first time in a while today. She had been to an OFSTED briefing and said one of the things that was mentioned was that OFTSTED would be looking to recover the full cost of making an inspection of non-agency CMs - a figure of £300 plus was mentioned. She agreed that this was probably just a ploy to persuade more CMs to join agencies to save OFSTED work. I also asked what was going to be in the new EYFS from April 2014 and she said that had been asked at the briefing too, but they had revealed nothing of any substance.

I don't know if I am more appalled or depressed by all this carry on. I certainly don't want to join an agency, but neither do I see why I should pay £300 or more to be inspected (it's not even as if I have any faith in the quality or equity of the inspection regime so paying for it would just be adding insult to injury). I may also just throw in the towel and do something else if those are the options.

The big problem is getting parents motivated to protest about all this. Those who have a CM they are happy with probably think all will carry on as it is until they no longer need childcare. Maybe it will. But it is the parents of children not yet in any sort of childcare, perhaps not even yet born, who may live to regret this government's meddling with the status quo.

[Mouse]

I saw my DO for the first time in a while today. She had been to an OFSTED briefing and said one of the things that was mentioned was that OFTSTED would be looking to recover the full cost of making an inspection of non-agency CMs - a figure of £300 plus was mentioned. She agreed that this was probably just a ploy to persuade more CMs to join agencies to save OFSTED work. I also asked what was going to be in the new EYFS from April 2014 and she said that had been asked at the briefing too, but they had revealed nothing of any substance.

I don't know if I am more appalled or depressed by all this carry on. I certainly don't want to join an agency, but neither do I see why I should pay £300 or more to be inspected (it's not even as if I have any faith in the quality or equity of the inspection regime so paying for it would just be adding insult to injury). I may also just throw in the towel and do something else if those are the options.

The big problem is getting parents motivated to protest about all this. Those who have a CM they are happy with probably think all will carry on as it is until they no longer need childcare. Maybe it will. But it is the parents of children not yet in any sort of childcare, perhaps not even yet born, who may live to regret this government's meddling with the status quo.

To be honest, £300 isn't bad compared to some of the figures being mentioned. And if it costs that much to inspect a childminder, how much more must it cost to inspect a nursery when they often send 2 inspectors for a whole day? Would they put their fees up as well?

I haven't been inspected for 5 years, so £300 over 5 years is only £60 a year. A lot cheaper than joining an agency, I would guess. Even if they managed inspections every 3 years, £100 a year isn't too bad compared to what agency fees could be.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I don't know one person that has said yes but there is still a lot of discussion. Once Ofsted release their inspection fee I think the discussions will become more indepth.

I also think that new childminders may use them because they will offer an "all round" service. It isn't all about training but if you haven't been there pre changes then you are not going to know that.

Personally it is a NO

[Simona]

I agree that the figure of £300 is not too bad compared to what we have heard mentioned in the past

Nurseries inspections are well over £1,000...I cannot recall the true figure given by Ofsted itself.... so if we had to pay £300 it is a price worth paying for independence...but again all this is speculation as the registration fee is not set by Ofsted but by the DfE...even Truss confirmed that in one of her recent speeches

It is an anomaly that Cms pay just £35 per year when nannies and those on the Childcare register pay over £100...we had it good for a while but it has to come to an end...for our sakes and survival

Not long before we get to hear how much to inspect an agency...that will be worth waiting for.

The EYFS will be updated in April but will not be implemented until September ....so no one at this stage knows anything but it is clear what will have to be amended judging by what we know:
DBS checks, ratios for schools that do after school care which will be 1:30 and not 1:8 anymore, upping the 2 hrs of informal childcare to 3 hours, giving CMs the option to work in schools and not just home based, reducing bureaucracy for registration for schools, reducing red tape to expand provision, RA requirement will be removed as will be LJs (these are not a requirement at present), LAs duties removed in terms of support and training, assessment for Reception children and...last but not least provision for agencies to enter the so called 'childcare market'.

We must not give up at this stage...we have spoken a thousands words it is really time to be proactive now...we must bang on about funding as we cannot continue to subsidise education or childcare for that matter.

I entirely agree we need parents on board...for the right reasons not just to offer them cheap childcare to make their lives easier.

That is why the PLA survey is so important...it would have been great if it had been opened to parents as well but we must not waste the opportunity to vent our feelings...the ratio issue was pulled off at the last minute so we must keep our hopes alive that something will happen at the eleventh hour...for everyone's sake

[Simona]

I don't know one person that has said yes but there is still a lot of discussion. Once Ofsted release their inspection fee I think the discussions will become more indepth.

I also think that new childminders may use them because they will offer an "all round" service. It isn't all about training but if you haven't been there pre changes then you are not going to know that.

Personally it is a NO

Agree totally ...it is not just about training that will entice CMs into an agency...it is the package that has to be offered them: peer support, home visits, Quality Assurance, supervision, face to face meetings, help with finances, paperwork, finding business and much more

That is what independent Cms will have to find somewhere else and from an approved source...already there are organizations coming forward offering CMs m'ship in return for training...look no further than National Children's Bureau who have just announced their package today
Many will be looking at business from Independent CMs....keep your eyes open everyone.

[Bluebell]

I have always said I would never join an agency but I believe they will become compulsory or that we will be priced out of the market if we don't join - ie we will be charged huge inspection fees, training fees, insurance may go up if we are a non-agency childminder. I would join if not joining meant I couldn't be a childminder or couldn't be a viable childminder as there's no point cutting off my nose to spite my face.

However. I'm so cynical of the whole thing I have decided I'd rather leave childminding and am looking into what to do next. The whole thing is a disgrace to be honest and the lack of information is ridiculous - no-one actually knows how the things are meant to work and at the end of the day it will e at the expense of us and the children.

[Simona]

I don't know one person that has said yes but there is still a lot of discussion. Once Ofsted release their inspection fee I think the discussions will become more indepth.

I also think that new childminders may use them because they will offer an "all round" service. It isn't all about training but if you haven't been there pre changes then you are not going to know that.

Personally it is a NO

I understood that you and Pacey Vice Chair were going to meet Truss as part of the 4 associations meeting which was cancelled and has now been rescheduled?

I also understand that some CMs who are trialling agencies will be going too....so there is interest somewhere out there...what we need is feedback as to how they are finding the trials and why they want to join?

the independent evaluator will then provide more info on models when the trials end in March

I also recall you saying you were going to volunteer for the trials as well.....that was a while back. Did you go ahead? what about Pacey monitoring the trials and helping to set up a 'robust' framework for inspection to ensure quality? is that still going on?

Overall the huge majority are against agencies and so far we have been told they are voluntary.....as I have said and you agree 'training' is not the only reason why cms may want to join an agency...there is plenty of training available ....at a cost of course...with many taking the opportunity to fill the gap LAs are leaving open to train CMs.....but training is not the only thing offered to Agency CMs in a package...the rest is also very important

Despite the growing frustration felt by everybody there is a lot out there that could be shared with anxious CMs in their long wait...I wonder why so much is wrapped up in silence and secrecy?

Bluebell...I think many would agree with you.
Many Cms will wait and bear all this nonsense until the whisper of 'compulsory' hits the air then there will be a huge exodus of CMs....

[teacake2]

I asked to go on the trial for the agency here (entrust), but couldn't get to the initial meeting, I asked them to let me know details of more meetings, to give me details of what had been said at these meetings, how things were going to work, costs etc, but as yet they have totally ignored my requests for this. I have contacted them a few times and now have given up.
I am desperate for work at the moment and was told that they would help match CMs to parents etc, but it seems that I am on the black list (a bit of a rebel when they were running the network).
So it looks like I won't be joining the network even if it was right for me.
There loss, not mine.
Teacake2

[Simona]

I asked to go on the trial for the agency here (entrust), but couldn't get to the initial meeting, I asked them to let me know details of more meetings, to give me details of what had been said at these meetings, how things were going to work, costs etc, but as yet they have totally ignored my requests for this. I have contacted them a few times and now have given up.
I am desperate for work at the moment and was told that they would help match CMs to parents etc, but it seems that I am on the black list (a bit of a rebel when they were running the network).
So it looks like I won't be joining the network even if it was right for me.
There loss, not mine.
Teacake2

very interesting as Entrust Education are trialling an agency but I wonder how they were able to run a Network? are they part of the LA or connected to it?

I am not sure if during the trials agencies are 'actually' matching Cms to parents...that will be done when they are set up as it is part of the package....the trials are to work out a business model, how agencies can offer the required package to CMs who join and to establish how they can be inspected

They are building the 'business side' of agencies not the practical one because they do not have members as yet as agencies become the law in Sept 2014 if the C&F Bill is passed in April..

This is how I interpret the whole business and that is why we have been asked to do the consultation on how we want agencies inspected

That is why it is very worrying that all is shrouded in mystery ...but it would be worth listening to those Cms who meet Truss and hear what their trials experience is.

Thank you for sharing

[alwaysright]

I don't know a single childminder who is planning to join an agency!

I've been doing this job for over 10 yrs ... think I can do it now! I am in a rural area with not many childminders, so no 'group' as such, but I will find my own training as needed. my LA isn't keen on agencies and as one of the consultation documents said that the LAs have a responsibility to any childminder who does not belong to an agency ... the only thing is that LAs will not be given any money to help childminders, so it might be that if we need help from someone at LA, we have to pay them for a visit etc ... I think that would be preferable.

this already happens in our area! if we want a visit from an early years advisor we have to pay!!! i wont be taking that offer up either and i wont be joining any agency like a few others have said i will pack in first! there are childminders i know that i wouldnt want to be associated with in that i wouldnt want to be relying on how there achieve for my business to be a success as i am doing quite well without them thankyou and i dont agree with some of their practises!

[loocyloo]

this already happens in our area! if we want a visit from an early years advisor we have to pay!!! i wont be taking that offer up either and i wont be joining any agency like a few others have said i will pack in first! there are childminders i know that i wouldnt want to be associated with in that i wouldnt want to be relying on how there achieve for my business to be a success as i am doing quite well without them thankyou and i dont agree with some of their practises!

I'm with you on the other childminder issue!
I would consider paying one of our advisors if I really thought I needed a home visit but hopefully they will be able to help via email or phone call! Our lot are pretty good!

[Simona]

this already happens in our area! if we want a visit from an early years advisor we have to pay!!! i wont be taking that offer up either and i wont be joining any agency like a few others have said i will pack in first! there are childminders i know that i wouldnt want to be associated with in that i wouldnt want to be relying on how there achieve for my business to be a success as i am doing quite well without them thankyou and i dont agree with some of their practises!

Puzzling that when the LAs were well funded they chose not to support all cms equally creating a clear two tier system with networks and non network cms....Accreditation or otherwise...now that agencies loom and their money is cut they will charge us even for a phone call?

Many cms who had little support from their LA survived and did very well ...even achieving outstanding by themselves...now we are in demand because we are needed for the 2 year old funding

We need to reflect where we want to get support from and at what cost....plenty out there in my view