just received an invitation to meet Elizabeth Truss

[snortlet]

yes Sarah you've hit the nail on the head. very sad and very worrying situation. I will be at a network evening next week with NCA and i expect it will be a hot topic :-(

[SammySplodger]

This is really depressing...

Could Northants CMs please continue to keep the rest of us in the loop? Thank you.

[snortlet]

This is really depressing...

Could Northants CMs please continue to keep the rest of us in the loop? Thank you.

Will do, will prob know more after the network evening next thursday

[phoenix2010]

This is really depressing...

Could Northants CMs please continue to keep the rest of us in the loop? Thank you.

will do :-)

[SammySplodger]

Thanks folks... are you thinking of plotting an 'inside job' then?!

[phoenix2010]

Im not , I tried to rally support but the general consensus was to email our thoughts to NCA, local MP and government
and stay away from the meeting

[SammySplodger]

Sorry - that was my sense of humour... I was joking. The whole thing is making me very grumpy and the thought cheared me up a bit.
:-)
But I understand its probably a bit too close to home for you.

[phoenix2010]

Well the thought did cross our minds

[The Juggler]

this is appalling!

if she wants to do this, do it in london and invite EVERY childminder not pick and choose who to invite mind you what else could we expect from that woman

[sarah707]

I have just sent the following letter to Nursery World magazine.

Dear Editor

I am writing again, this time to share information with you which I find very worrying.

Northampton Childminding Association wrote to their members asking for people to go along to a meeting with Ms Truss - but clearly stated that only those who agree with or who are open minded to her plans should attend.

It appears poor Ms Truss has received some negative feedback and would like to hear positive comments for a change.

This is the email which was sent out to NCA members -


Dear Childminder,

You will probably be aware of the attached government report ‘More Great
Childcare’ published recently.

We’ve been approached by the Department for Education to see if any
Northamptonshire Childminders are interested in meeting with Elizabeth Truss
about childminder agencies.

They have had plenty of negative feedback from the sounds of it so would like to
hear from Childminders who are broadly in favour or at least open minded about
moving to an agency model.

The meeting is likely to be held week beginning 25th February and I have said it
will need to be in the evening. Can you please let me know as soon as possible
if you would like to attend such a meeting?



My reply to NCA reads as follows -


To whom it may concern

I would like to register my shock and grave concern at the wording of this email, sent to your members recently.

To suggest that only ‘yes’ men and women should be invited to a meeting with Ms Truss is beyond my understanding.

The ‘negative feedback’ is totally justified. Perhaps you need to read and reflect on the Childminding Forum’s analysis of the ‘More Great Childcare’ plan http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/mgc and consider whether your loyalties lie with the MP or your dedicated, hard working and independent childminders.

Yours, etc



Will Nursery World magazine raise questions about this blatant bias please? My thoughts for headlines include -

Truss manipulates meetings about her 'More Great Childcare' plan

Only childminders who agree with Truss 'More Great Childcare' plans invited to consultation meeting

Truss will say 'I have consulted with childminders'... but only those who agree with the proposals in her 'More Great Childcare' plan are invited to meetings

Truss wants to speak to childminders in favour of her plans - those who disagree are asked not to attend

Truss is aware of the negative publicity her plans have engendered and wants to chat to people who think they are a good idea

Thank you.


I hope others are also writing to express their concerns!!

[hectors house]

Thanks folks... are you thinking of plotting an 'inside job' then?!

Can it involve gunpowder?

[SammySplodger]

We don't need gunpowder - we've got Sarah!

Fab letter Sarah! Hope they go for it!

[hectors house]

We don't need gunpowder - we've got Sarah!

Fab letter Sarah! Hope they go for it!

Have just sent link of Sarah's analysis of More Great Childcare plan and the NCA e-mail to my local MP - I did sent letters to him, Michael Gove & Elizabeth Truss last week but haven't heard back, so hoping e-mail gets faster response!

Saw on a post earlier that some members sound as if they may consider agencies if the terms are right ie: holiday / sick pay etc - but we need to stay focused and fight until the end, common sense and knowledge are on our side.

[SYLVIA]

Who are the best ones to target about pushing for a proper meeting held in a more accessible place for everyone to go to. I feel even if meetings were held up and down the country, different questions and answers are going to be put forward and the whole picture will still not be clear

[The Juggler]

go Sarah !

If she carries on like this she is going to make a laughing stock of herself (with a little help from us!)

[Trouble]

take sarah with you she needs a chat with her

[sarah707]

take sarah with you she needs a chat with her

Oh yes please!

[phoenix2010]

Im yet to hear back as to whether Im invited , Im guessing not

[shortstuff]

Can i make a suggestion? Can we not hold a meeting and 'through the press' and official channels invite her? Maybe then she will see how we all feel?

I would love to write to my mp and battle on a local level but our mp, Chis Huhne, has just resigned. Once i have access to a pc, as mine has died and am awaiting my new arrival, i will be using all of the great links the great people of this forum are listing to get my point accross there too.

[SammySplodger]

Any news from Northamptonshire about how their meeting with Truss went?