Petition to leave our early years ratios alone!

**sarah707** · 27-01-2013, 07:59 PM

This is a big one... children's health, safety and wellbeing is potentially being put at risk... and our business sustainability is being threatened.

The government are about to make an announcement ... we need to pull together and fight!

The first step is to sign the Childminding Forum petition - and to ask nurseries and pre-schools to sign - and to ask parents to sign - and to promote it everywhere

Please see this thread guys!

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fo...ios-alone.html

AND if you can't wait to see it - here is the petition!

http://www.*****/en-GB/petition...s-ratios-alone

**FussyElmo** · 28-01-2013, 07:52 AM

Bump

Go on everyone there is 20000+ members on here lets get the government to take notice

**HelenHale** · 28-01-2013, 09:04 AM

Thank you Sarah, can I also draw everyones attention to this one https://www.*********department-for-education-drop-plans-to-increase-child-to-adult-ratios which is basically for the same purpose and now has over 3,500 signatures.

I have signed both

Helen x

***daisychain*** · 28-01-2013, 09:10 AM

Both signed

**angeldelight** · 28-01-2013, 09:21 AM

Well done Sarah

Angel xx

**tinytots_cb4** · 28-01-2013, 09:29 AM

To whom it may concern,
I totally disagree with this petition on the grounds that you are discriminating against us childminders who are more than capable of meeting the needs all the children in our care even at higher ratios.
We would sincerely hope that all childminders would have at least the common sense to not increase their ratios if they feel that they are incapable of meeting all the children's needs, as the government and Ofsted are not imposing an increase to ratios but offering the option to capable childminders.
What about the parents who have have than 6 children? are you suggesting we tell them how many children they can actually give birth to!
If you do not wish to increase your numbers then DONT, but please do not indiscriminate against those of us that are able to.

Kind Regards,

Allyson & Colin.
Tiny Tots Childminding Service.]

**jelly15** · 28-01-2013, 10:55 AM

Signed both.

**FussyElmo** · 28-01-2013, 11:35 AM

Bump

**rickysmiths** · 28-01-2013, 12:08 PM

I'm sorry but I have to say it. I am utterly disappointed to see this. There is already a Petition started for childminders and backed by the PLA and NCMA. Why start another one and dilute the support? Surely at these times we should all be standing together as a united front?

It shouldn't matter what Forum we choose to use, whether we are on Face Book or not, or a member of NCMA PLA or do all our insurance through MM.

We are all Childminders and we are ALL facing the same issues.

Frankly I see it as a bit childish and very sad that we apparently can't, despite our differences, work together as a united front of Childminders.

**sharonmanc** · 28-01-2013, 12:12 PM

I totally agree with Ricky on this, we need just one petition, that shows a united front, and has more weight behind it.

**Boris** · 28-01-2013, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by rickysmiths

I'm sorry but I have to say it. I am utterly disappointed to see this. There is already a Petition started for childminders and backed by the PLA and NCMA. Why start another one and dilute the support? Surely at these times we should all be standing together as a united front?

It shouldn't matter what Forum we choose to use, whether we are on Face Book or not, or a member of NCMA PLA or do all our insurance through MM.

We are all Childminders and we are ALL facing the same issues.

Frankly I see it as a bit childish and very sad that we apparently can't, despite our differences, work together as a united front of Childminders.

Couldn't agree more.

**AgentTink** · 28-01-2013, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by rickysmiths

I'm sorry but I have to say it. I am utterly disappointed to see this. There is already a Petition started for childminders and backed by the PLA and NCMA. Why start another one and dilute the support? Surely at these times we should all be standing together as a united front?

It shouldn't matter what Forum we choose to use, whether we are on Face Book or not, or a member of NCMA PLA or do all our insurance through MM.

We are all Childminders and we are ALL facing the same issues.

Frankly I see it as a bit childish and very sad that we apparently can't, despite our differences, work together as a united front of Childminders.

Does it really matter though? what has been done is done. What about thanking the people who set up both petitions for their time and dedication to the cause.

I am sure PLA and NCMA would support both petitions because at the end of the day they are for the same thing.

I have signed both and cannot see why everybody who works in childcare cannot do the same, it only takes a minute to do for a issue that is so important. The way i see it better to have lots of petitions that can get to more people than one that does not reach everybody.

**Kiddleywinks** · 28-01-2013, 01:06 PM

I understand the need for a petition, but I'm afraid I agree with Rickysmiths too.

Asking parents, friends and families to sign ANY petition at the moment is hard enough - One parent had 15 requests through her facebook the other week, from saving the whale to getting a child a puppy (Ok I realise these were more 'like this page' but she's sick to death of it, and I can't say as I blame her.)

In her words, you start to ignore ANY requests, and of course then an important one will not be seen and supported.

We really do need to work together here ladies and gents, all for one and one for all

**Boris** · 28-01-2013, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by AgentTink

Does it really matter though? what has been done is done. What about thanking the people who set up both petitions for their time and dedication to the cause.

I am sure PLA and NCMA would support both petitions because at the end of the day they are for the same thing.

I have signed both and cannot see why everybody who works in childcare cannot do the same, it only takes a minute to do for a issue that is so important. The way i see it better to have lots of petitions that can get to more people than one that does not reach everybody.

It does make us look like a bunch of numpty's who can't communicate though, don't you think?

**linda2girls** · 28-01-2013, 01:12 PM

I agree that it's a shame we can't all support 1 petition, I don't see the need for 2. I have already given parents and friends the handouts from the first petition which has over 5,500 signatures.

Why aren't we all working together.

Linda.

**AgentTink** · 28-01-2013, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Boris

It does make us look like a bunch of numpty's who can't communicate though, don't you think?

I disagree i think it shows that people feel strongly about the issue. Considering these changes will effect all early years educators I am really surprised that there isn't more of them from other early year providers.

**FussyElmo** · 28-01-2013, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Boris

It does make us look like a bunch of numpty's who can't communicate though, don't you think?

Why I dont expect teacher, nurses etc to all join the same union so why shouldnt cms have different voices.

The point to this thread is to sign the petition and get others to do so. Not to criticise or compare petitions who wrote them. Doesnt matter if there is 1 with 5000 another with 1000 if a 3rd or 4th shot up would it really matter.

We need as many voices as possible to get our opinions over and the more channels to do so the better, then the message gets out to everyone. A friend on mine who is a deputy manager in a nursery didnt know about any petition till i shared this morning and thats the issue getting the news out to people

**Kiddleywinks** · 28-01-2013, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by FussyElmo

The point to this thread is to sign the petition and get others to do so. Not to criticise or compare petitions who wrote them. Doesnt matter if there is 1 with 5000 another with 1000 if a 3rd or 4th shot up would it really matter.

We need as many voices as possible to get our opinions over and the more channels to do so the better, then the message gets out to everyone. A friend on mine who is a deputy manager in a nursery didnt know about any petition till i shared this morning and thats the issue getting the news out to people

I'm not comparing who wrote them, far from it, I don't give a monkeys WHERE it came from, but a petition with a large amount of signatories surely carries more weight than half a dozen different ones with a 1000?
I know if it's a Downing Street petition they don't even look at it unless there are 100,000 signatories - unlikely to happen if there are several on the go iygwim.

**Mouse** · 28-01-2013, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by tinytots_cb4

To whom it may concern,
I totally disagree with this petition on the grounds that you are discriminating against us childminders who are more than capable of meeting the needs all the children in our care even at higher ratios.
We would sincerely hope that all childminders would have at least the common sense to not increase their ratios if they feel that they are incapable of meeting all the children's needs, as the government and Ofsted are not imposing an increase to ratios but offering the option to capable childminders.
What about the parents who have have than 6 children? are you suggesting we tell them how many children they can actually give birth to!
If you do not wish to increase your numbers then DONT, but please do not indiscriminate against those of us that are able to.

Kind Regards,

Allyson & Colin.
Tiny Tots Childminding Service.
Visit Us At Home - TinyTots Your Home From Home Childcare Provider

Very well put.

I find it somewhat insulting that I am being told by other cms and so called professionals/experts that I am incapable of caring for more than 3 young children at one time. I look after 4 most days. I find it easy. The children are developing to exceptional standards - as confirmed by Ofsted & my LA. Parents love it that their children are with 3 other children, rather than just one or 2. They appreciate the additional socialising their children benefit from. They apreciate the flexibility I can offer them when they need additional days or hours.
My current exceptions are for continuity of care. What is the difference between me having 4 children for continuity, or 4 for new business?

Surely the responsibility should be with each cm to only take on the children they are capable of looking after? Why penalise the cms working within the rules because of those who don't?

**Boris** · 28-01-2013, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by AgentTink

I disagree i think it shows that people feel strongly about the issue. Considering these changes will effect all early years educators I am really surprised that there isn't more of them from other early year providers.

Nurseries probably welcome the changes. I know the nursery I worked at will! I just think childminders should stick together, a single voice and all that. Unfortunately I think it has become a "which forum do you support" competition rather than everyone focusing on what the issue really is!