Are any childminders setting up their own agencies?

[ClareMaher]

As I understand it anyone can set up agency and although it's not currently compulsory to join one I believe that we will be pushed and pushed to eventually join one as it will become harder and harder to remain independent.

I was talking to a family friend recently who said her childminder was thinking of starting her own agency with others in her area. They wouldn't charge CMs to join but would help organise group training and help parents find vacancies, again not charging them. They plan to let everything else remain the same so CMs still look after all their own paperwork, finances, running of their business etc. they plan for the to stop any other agency coming in to their area to take over.

What are people's thoughts on this? The not having an individual inspection thing would still be problematic for most CMs I think and what happens if you can't get many other CMs on board.

I became registered in October last year And have no intention of joining an agency but I also don't want to be forced out of a job I enjoy as I've only been doing it 6 months and I'm a long way off retiring lol!

[FussyElmo]

Who would be responsible when ofsted came to inspect. I wouldn't like to take the responsibility of making sure that all the cms got a good grade :-9

[miffy]

If they don't charge childminders to join and they don't charge parents either then who is going to pay the agencies ofsted registration fee?

Miffy xx

[SYLVIA]

my thoughts exactly. Think a group that called itself an agency might run into a few problems. Don't think I'd want to do that personally

[ClareMaher]

I don't know any more as i don't live near my friend. I'm not sure how serious they are about doing it.

Was worried to see anyone could set up an agency though. How on earth does that work? Someone coming in telling you what to do that's not even worked in childcare before?! Bit worrying.

[AdeleMarie88]

Was worried to see anyone could set up an agency though. How on earth does that work? Someone coming in telling you what to do that's not even worked in childcare before?! Bit worrying.

It's not much different to private day nurseries in that respect, with an owner and then managers...

I wouldn't mind looking into co-running an agency, it's better to be in charge of your own destiny, which us exactly why I came into CM in the first place (as we all did I'm sure)...interesting idea, not sure how it would work precisely... X

[Mouse]

I don't know any more as i don't live near my friend. I'm not sure how serious they are about doing it.

Was worried to see anyone could set up an agency though. How on earth does that work? Someone coming in telling you what to do that's not even worked in childcare before?! Bit worrying.

But if that was the case you wouldn't join the agency. Don't forget, just because an agency is there it doesn't mean you have to join it.

[AdeleMarie88]

But if that was the case you wouldn't join the agency. Don't forget, just because an agency is there it doesn't mean you have to join it.

I think people are sort of panic brainstorming their way out of Truss' schemes. Understandable. There is lots of talk in my area. I keep telling myself not to worry yet, as you say, you don't have to join! Xx

[Simona]

As I understand it anyone can set up agency and although it's not currently compulsory to join one I believe that we will be pushed and pushed to eventually join one as it will become harder and harder to remain independent.

I was talking to a family friend recently who said her childminder was thinking of starting her own agency with others in her area. They wouldn't charge CMs to join but would help organise group training and help parents find vacancies, again not charging them. They plan to let everything else remain the same so CMs still look after all their own paperwork, finances, running of their business etc. they plan for the to stop any other agency coming in to their area to take over.

What are people's thoughts on this? The not having an individual inspection thing would still be problematic for most CMs I think and what happens if you can't get many other CMs on board.

I became registered in October last year And have no intention of joining an agency but I also don't want to be forced out of a job I enjoy as I've only been doing it 6 months and I'm a long way off retiring lol!

Anyone who wants to set up an agency has to follow prescribed rules...an agency cannot just be set up without looking at the requirements, what needs to be in place an d communication/application with Ofsted

These are the guidelines issued for the C&F Bill ...which has now become an ACT as agencies are the law
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets...e%2073_001.pdf

There is also another document that states clearly what agencies must provide in their package...I will post the link when I find it

It may also be useful to read the trials evaluation when it comes out....which I believe is in May following the end of the trials in March and a full month of evaluation in April by an independent body

[Kiddleywinks]

It may also be useful to read the trials evaluation when it comes out....which I believe is in May following the end of the trials in March and a full month of evaluation in April by an independent body

How independent is the independent body?

[Simona]

How independent is the independent body?

No one knows who the independent body is ...let alone independent of whom!!!
We can only hope for news on this...as the 4 associations are meeting Truss on the 25 March it may be a good question to ask then...assuming she keeps her date?

[ClareMaher]

Thanks for the links Simona.

Although I don't want to join an agency if it becomes law I would certainly either join one that is run by childminders or set one up myself if there wasn't one in my area as I certainly don't want someone who doesn't know anything about childminding telling me how to do my job.

[Ripeberry]

And another thought. Would they not 'Cherry Pick' the best CMs. Agencies might work for people who are struggling by themselves. But for established CMs with a good reputation, the biggest hurdle we have is the Ofsted fee. It could be hundreds!

[Becci26]

And another thought. Would they not 'Cherry Pick' the best CMs. Agencies might work for people who are struggling by themselves. But for established CMs with a good reputation, the biggest hurdle we have is the Ofsted fee. It could be hundreds!

I am waiting with baited breath to find out how much the Ofsted fees are, it will most likely make or break my decision to continue childminding unfortunately

[AdeleMarie88]

I am waiting with baited breath to find out how much the Ofsted fees are, it will most likely make or break my decision to continue childminding unfortunately

I fully agree with this. This will most likely decide for me too, i fear that that is how they will eventually break Everyone into joining agencies, by making it such a financial strain to not be in one! X

[Becci26]

I fully agree with this. This will most likely decide for me too, i fear that that is how they will eventually break Everyone into joining agencies, by making it such a financial strain to not be in one! X

Unfortunately I completely agree

I wish they would hurry up and give us some firm information,

I only work part time atm and not looking to increase my hours any time soon, financially it's a squeeze as it is without the increase in fees for inspections!

[AdeleMarie88]

I'm trying to go along with the idea, "will cross that bridge when we come to it", no point worrying until we get definite agencies popping up, and that could take some time.

For me the frustration is, I came into this business so I could have that autonomy and control over my own earnings, things are never that straight forward are they!! Don't know why Truss can't just leave us be!

X

[Mouse]

I am waiting with baited breath to find out how much the Ofsted fees are, it will most likely make or break my decision to continue childminding unfortunately

I've held off implementing a fee increase until we know what the fees are.

When you break it down, it isn't too daunting. One fee mentioned is £900, per inspection. If that was every 3 years, that's £300 a year. I work 48 weeks a year, so that's £6.25 a week. If I have 6 children on my books that's only just over £1 each child per week. Any fee increase I make will be at least £1 per child, per day, so I have more than covered the Ofsted fee

[Simona]

I'm trying to go along with the idea, "will cross that bridge when we come to it", no point worrying until we get definite agencies popping up, and that could take some time.

For me the frustration is, I came into this business so I could have that autonomy and control over my own earnings, things are never that straight forward are they!! Don't know why Truss can't just leave us be!

X

Because Truss introduced the agency idea but her biggest backer is....Ofsted of course
Can we rewind back to July 2012 when HMCI said cms are too expensive to register and inspect?

[dawn100]

You make a very good point, also I can't see how ofsted can charge us more than a pre-school or a nursery to register currently nurseries and preschools vary between £35, £50 and the most expensive £220 per year it all depends on hours and number of weeks open. Even paying £220 a year to Ofsted I could cover that in a 5p per hour fee increase so in that case I think I would still be better off financially than joining an agency and get to keep my freedom and competive enough for parents, rember agrncies aren't just looking to cover their costs they'll be looking to make money.
If ofsted do bring in higher fees for us I will be looking at how much I need to increase to cover the cost and then in the letter to parents I will make it very clear that my fee increase is directly linked to the increase of ofsted fees.

I've held off implementing a fee increase until we know what the fees are.

When you break it down, it isn't too daunting. One fee mentioned is £900, per inspection. If that was every 3 years, that's £300 a year. I work 48 weeks a year, so that's £6.25 a week. If I have 6 children on my books that's only just over £1 each child per week. Any fee increase I make will be at least £1 per child, per day, so I have more than covered the Ofsted fee