@homechildcare agency briefing

[natlou82]

I'm not going into depth, because I'm not sure who, if anyone is actually interested in this. Although if you have any questions feel free to ask. What I will say is they didn't convince me to join the agency as I don't see any benefit for myself. The benefits they can provide, support and training I can access cheaper and at no cost to parents!!

[Mouse]

I'd be very interested in any feedback you can give. Although I haven't got any hint of an agency near me, it's always good to know what's going on.

Are they trying to attract existing childminders, or do you think it's more aimed at recruiting new ones?

[Smiley]

I am also interested in any feedback, like Mouse, currently there isn't any sign of any agency near me. I think the training and support seems to be a marketing factor and perhaps people who are considering becoming a childminder will think that only agencies can provide that. It would also be interesting to know if local authorities discuss agencies during their briefing sessions for potential childminders.

[natlou82]

The way they are promoting is based on lack of support from LAs (guidance, training and updates) all things that they will be providing. For established CMs they are also promoting extra opportunities of working with the agency as mentors, or progression via employment in the agency. Tbh I'm happy to source my training etc elsewhere (which is cheaper). I also have no interest in working for the agency. For new CMs they may easily see the benefits of all the additional support etc (I know personally of a lady who was impressed by what they had to say) but sometimes it's because they are not aware of other sources where they can get the same support, training etc. The things I didn't like at all were the fact that their EYFS software is mandatory for all members at £50 per year, and parents also have to pay £5 per child per month (capped at 2 children).

[natlou82]

Smiley there was a member of my LA there offering her full support, although I also felt that they will still signpost independents as they need the childcare places especially with the 30 hours looming. Our LA is trying to get the early implementation.

[Mouse]

Did they say if they'd had much interest from childminders or parents?

I can fully see why people looking to set up would consider an agency, but I wonder how many parents would actually go through one for their childcare, especially if they have to pay.

[mama2three]

Thanks Natlou. Is there anything you came away wishing you'd asked or commented on , or felt they didnt answer. Happy to send in questions before Tuesday.

[Smiley]

Thanks Natlou, yes I agree with you about sometimes it's because they're not informed of other sources and that's worrying. I certainly don't like the sound of the compulsory software and think that is one step to take away childminders self-employment status. I would think each agency will do things differently and charge differently and I certainly will not be joining one.

[natlou82]

I don't honestly think there's anything to entice a parent to use them to find a CM, they don't seem to be offering any other than website advertising. They did mention a "matching night" "meet a minder" - eek! I can't imagine anything worse!!!!

[natlou82]

They've got 15 CMs going through registration at present.

[mama2three]

So Natlou if Im an agency minder with them am I allowed to also find my own mindees?

[Mouse]

I don't honestly think there's anything to entice a parent to use them to find a CM, they don't seem to be offering any other than website advertising. They did mention a "matching night" "meet a minder" - eek! I can't imagine anything worse!!!!

Childminder speed dating!

[natlou82]

Yes mamatothree they don't find them for you.

[mama2three]

Yes mamatothree they don't find them for you.

so how can they charge them? what for?

[natlou82]

The benefit of having a well trained CM who has annual inspections (maintaining quality). Btw it's the CM who passes on this charge, parents pay the CM who then pays the agency (remember £5 per child per month!)

[natlou82]

The CM also pays £25 per month. So I have 13 on my books currently so the agency would bill me £90 per month!

[mama2three]

Good Grief!!

[greenfaerie]

That's ridiculous (and also genius) I thought at the very least Agencies would find and match parents with suitable childminders! What's the point if they don't even do that? All they're doing is smiling and nodding and taking the credit for the Childminders hard work. All whilst creaming money off the top from both sides of the financial parties. Shocking. O_O

[natlou82]

I know that's what I thought, they were so matter of fact about it too! Don't you fancy the matching nights either then greenfarie lol :-D

[blue bear]

So what does that £25 a month get you? Just the support? Does it include first aid, child protection training, pli insurance, paperwork (contracts the lot) learning journey ..... So a one stop shop no additional costs,no annual registration fee etc?

What is the £5 per month per child for? What do the childminder/parents get for that £60 a year?

And what if the extra £50 (eyfs package) for?

So far I'm adding this up to £300 (£25 per month) plus £50 (eyfs package) and another £60 per child all each year? That's a lot of money. Minimum of £410 per year if you have one child on your book and increase by £60 fo each additional child.

[SYLVIA]

Wow the cost is going up and up!! You'd think it might actually put childminders off joining but I suppose new minders won't know any different. Wonder how much agency staff will be paid

[natlou82]

Blue bear:- you get support, updates, 2 visits per year (3 for new minders), annual inspections, training courses which include first aid, safeguarding, food hygiene and others. You don't get PLI, paperwork etc that would be at a further cost. Your workings out are correct except I forgot to say the first month is £55 for your registration fee. The thought of going through the registration process again - no thankyou!

[natlou82]

The £5 to parents is just for parents reassurance that they are getting a minder who is continually developing and annually inspected to maintain quality. My parents know that I access training etc and aren't concerned about how often I am inspected, they certainly wouldn't be happy to pay this fee.

The mandatory software is orange moon (although they didn't say that on the night) I'm not sure if it's live yet - will have to check it out. I think it's similar to the one that can't be named BD.

[natlou82]

Sylvia I suppose it depends how much you currently pay out - advertising (childcare.co.uk), training courses, software (tapestry, BD), Ofsted reg. Some CMs may have high costs in these areas already so paying a monthly fee spreads it out for them.

If our Ofsted fee rises which sounds inevitable, the agencies could become more appealing to some CMs.

[blue bear]

Sylvia I suppose it depends how much you currently pay out - advertising (childcare.co.uk), training courses, software (tapestry, BD), Ofsted reg. Some CMs may have high costs in these areas already so paying a monthly fee spreads it out for them.

If our Ofsted fee rises which sounds inevitable, the agencies could become more appealing to some CMs.

I'd love to know how they decided on their charges, makes me wonder if they know what the ofsted fee increase might be so they can set their prices competitively.
Do you know if the agency influences the hourly rate the childminder charges? It makes me wonder if in order to remain competitive against independent childminders whether agency childminders will (at least in the initial stages) have to end up absorbing the cost of the £5 per month per child In order to get going.

[natlou82]

I think you're right about CMs absorbing the parental fee. My parents wouldn't be happy to pay it especially as there is no real benefit to them. Therefore I think CMs may increase their fee to cover the charge at no benefit for themselves.

[rickysmiths]

Blue bear:- you get support, updates, 2 visits per year (3 for new minders), annual inspections, training courses which include first aid, safeguarding, food hygiene and others. You don't get PLI, paperwork etc that would be at a further cost. Your workings out are correct except I forgot to say the first month is £55 for your registration fee. The thought of going through the registration process again - no thankyou!

But you would have to get your PLI from them because without Ofsted Registration current PLI from Pacey, Pre school Learning Alliance, MM wouldn't cover you.

[natlou82]

Yes they do their own PLI but that's an additional cost.

[mama2three]

Ive given further feedback from last nights meeting on the 'questions for @homechildcare briefing' thread , it covers the insurance point above.

[Jayse74]

My DW got an email a few nights back for something detailing a revolution in Childcare. Along the lines of "Meet a Minder" ?

There is a Facebook page where you enter an email, the claims are you will be given exclusive stuff and test their exicting new website and childminder finding software before it goes live. The word FREE is pushed aswell, really.... is this really free or just a way of getting agency stuff out there?

Suggested my DW left it alone until I find out exactly what it is.

[Simona]

My DW got an email a few nights back for something detailing a revolution in Childcare. Along the lines of "Meet a Minder" ?

There is a Facebook page where you enter an email, the claims are you will be given exclusive stuff and test their exicting new website and childminder finding software before it goes live. The word FREE is pushed aswell, really.... is this really free or just a way of getting agency stuff out there?

Suggested my DW left it alone until I find out exactly what it is.

Oh dear!...someone is trying to 'resurrect' an old idea which was, at the time, quite successful to start with.
It was called 'Meet The Minder'....I am sure many Cms will remember that?

whoever that someone is needs to look at history....repeating it may not necessarily win their battle.
MTM was launched in several areas....years later it fizzled out though...maybe they need to learn a lesson from that.

I remember the launch of MTM in my area, we are talking at least 10 years ago, more I am sure....it was a big event and it was reported in the press .

I organised it with other cms and with the help of our local CMs association and the LA attended as well....after its launch I also attended several MTM with other cms.

Did MTM work?....I would say it did due to its own special features until I recall it being used to promote Network Cms against the rest...parents being pushed towards those who belonged to a Network
This will probably be a very similar experiment.

The only difference between then and now is that then it was all open and public and not hidden in another secret website or FB page.

The main problem with the agencies saga since it began in 2012/3 is that the perceived 'secrecy' surrounding them is rather a secret to those who are in charge of this coming 'revolution'
would it make a good 007 plot?

or should we prepare for battle and take up arms to fight this revolution and make us all 'Miserables'?

Sooner or later all the players in this game will have to declare their hand...from what I read some are already doing so as the DfE renews its push towards agencies some are coming out to flag up their model.

Many Cms...thousands perhaps.... are unhappy at how the agencies are evolving and the little tit bits they are fed via the press...we need to start asking why it has been made to look like the worst secret in EY.

The very idea of Cms agencies has to be fought even if there is not a sign of one in cms' own patch....it is the principle that is wrong!

[moggy]

Oh dear!...someone is trying to 'resurrect' an old idea which was, at the time, quite successful to start with.
It was called 'Meet The Minder'....I am sure many Cms will remember that?

whoever that someone is needs to look at history....repeating it may not necessarily win their battle.
MTM was launched in several areas....years later it fizzled out though...maybe they need to learn a lesson from that.

I remember the launch of MTM in my area, we are talking at least 10 years ago, more I am sure....it was a big event and it was reported in the press .

I organised it with other cms and with the help of our local CMs association and the LA attended as well....after its launch I also attended several MTM with other cms.

Did MTM work?....I would say it did due to its own special features until I recall it being used to promote Network Cms against the rest...parents being pushed towards those who belonged to a Network
This will probably be a very similar experiment.

The only difference between then and now is that then it was all open and public and not hidden in another secret website or FB page.

The main problem with the agencies saga since it began in 2012/3 is that the perceived 'secrecy' surrounding them is rather a secret to those who are in charge of this coming 'revolution'
would it make a good 007 plot?

or should we prepare for battle and take up arms to fight this revolution and make us all 'Miserables'?

Sooner or later all the players in this game will have to declare their hand...from what I read some are already doing so as the DfE renews its push towards agencies some are coming out to flag up their model.

Many Cms...thousands perhaps.... are unhappy at how the agencies are evolving and the little tit bits they are fed via the press...we need to start asking why it has been made to look like the worst secret in EY.

The very idea of Cms agencies has to be fought even if there is not a sign of one in cms' own patch....it is the principle that is wrong!

I would not say Meet a Minder is 'secret'! Their website is easy to find: Find a Childminder for FREE with Meet a Minder (http://www.meetaminder.co.uk/)
(in case it is starred out it is meet a minder dot co dot uk)
They are using Facebook to promote its launch because it is free and so widely used.
From all I have read (their vision is on their website, top right button) it is simply a free directory of childminders that parents can use to contact CMers without paying a fee. I guess they are using advertising to raise the cash.
I am following it and we'll see what it come to.

[Simona]

I see where you are coming from but the MTM I mentioned is not the same because it was a face-to-face meeting not online.
The reference to secrecy was about agencies not the new website.

From what I understand parents have so many options on how to find childcare...pacey used to have their own too...am I right?
so this is a new addition

It is a website so they advertise it in other ways too....FB is not the only option as thousands do not use FB.

They also use Twitter for free...they seem to follow quite a few cms too!

Being free it will be welcome to parents and cms alike and cut costs for both!

[Simona]

For those who do not receive newsletters from 4 Children they have announced another round of agency briefing.

Check it out if you are interested....they are being help in 3 different parts of the country!