The first agency pilot has appeared!

[sarah707]

So guys... this is what an agency will look like then...

Part Time Flexible Childcare in Nottingham and Sheffield, Childcare Jobs, Childcare Training

Nice that they are listening to us and taking note of our arguments isn't it

[FussyElmo]

Frigthening to see how quickly they are being set up - wonder how long they have actually known

[welshgirl]

Oh my god! I am really shocked at this. It is just all too quick. I have clicked on the link and looked at the home page, then closed it down. I can't even bring myself to look any further.

[FussyElmo]

The Government’s recommendation to develop ‘Childminder Agencies’ will allow childminders to deliver better care, according to Yvette Oliver-Mighten, owner of childcare provider @Home Childcare, which already delivers childcare under an agency model

Should I email them and tell them to kiss my backside (insert other words if you like)

[blue bear]

Agencies have obviously been looked into for while and just put into MGC to give them cover as they knew people would concentrate on the ratios. Full steam ahead then regardless of what childminders think or want.

[wendywu]

Oh my god! I am really shocked at this. It is just all too quick. I have clicked on the link and looked at the home page, then closed it down. I can't even bring myself to look any further.

Ha ha i did the same

[Shamai]

Shocking that its obviously been on the back burner for months I'm wondering what the hourly rate is for such a flexible service. Not good news

[AgentTink]

Shocking that its obviously been on the back burner for months I'm wondering what the hourly rate is for such a flexible service. Not good news

Apparently its £3.70 per hour

Based in Nottingham and Sheffield, it offers wraparound childcare in the home, including care for the children of shift workers, pick-ups from after school clubs and nursery for those working late and drop offs in the mornings plus holiday and weekend childcare. The childcare is provided in the parents' home and can be used on a pay as you go basis, with a flat rate of around £3.70 an hour per child being charged to make it more affordable.


Parents who use the service include council workers using after-school care from 3.30pm - 6pm; lone parent working shifts, using before and after-school care from as early as 6.30am and up until 9pm; lone self-employed parent using after-school care until 10pm plus three full days per week during school holidays; and two teachers using term-time only care from 7am.



Many of the people who work for @Home Childcare covering short hour demands such as after school pick-ups are students or older people, such as grandmothers, who are given appropriate training. Longer hours such as those needed by shiftworkers are covered by experienced childcare workers who want to work in the home. One family where both members are ambulance workers and work shifts have three carers – one main carer and two back-ups.

[loocyloo]

Apparently its £3.70 per hour

Based in Nottingham and Sheffield, it offers wraparound childcare in the home, including care for the children of shift workers, pick-ups from after school clubs and nursery for those working late and drop offs in the mornings plus holiday and weekend childcare. The childcare is provided in the parents' home and can be used on a pay as you go basis, with a flat rate of around £3.70 an hour per child being charged to make it more affordable.


Parents who use the service include council workers using after-school care from 3.30pm - 6pm; lone parent working shifts, using before and after-school care from as early as 6.30am and up until 9pm; lone self-employed parent using after-school care until 10pm plus three full days per week during school holidays; and two teachers using term-time only care from 7am.



Many of the people who work for @Home Childcare covering short hour demands such as after school pick-ups are students or older people, such as grandmothers, who are given appropriate training. Longer hours such as those needed by shiftworkers are covered by experienced childcare workers who want to work in the home. One family where both members are ambulance workers and work shifts have three carers – one main carer and two back-ups.

this sounds like nannies to me, not childminders.

[AgentTink]

I have just read a article on the site and i am even more confused... On one hand the owner is lobbying about how important it is that Nannies are regulated and then on the other hand is going to pilot a Childminding Agency Model where individual childminders will not be regulated by Ofsted...im a bit confused, i think i have read too much too quickly


Part Time Flexible Childcare in Nottingham and Sheffield, Childcare Jobs, Childcare Training

[AgentTink]

Did you read this bit Sarah... that they have been piloting it since September 2012

Since September 2012, we have been piloting @Home Childminding in the form of a focus group of childminder learners interested in mentoring and compliance support. The group consists of new childminders and established self-employed childminders, both of which benefit from our quality development mentoring support in the following different ways:

• New childminders benefit from professional, individual mentoring support commencing with the start-up stage, through to registration and beyond in the development of successful childcare businesses.
• Established self-employed childminders benefit from a regular mentoring support service, when it is needed most e.g. EYFS compliance, Ofsted inspection or CPD training. The support helps them to maintain and develop their business or future career aspirations.

For both groups, mentoring support has enabled childminders to become more confident and knowledgeable in areas of their service such as parental engagement, marketing their business and developing best practice.
Department of Education

Because of our close links with childminders and our home childcare model, we have been asked by the Department of Education to use our @Home Childminding pilot to help formulate their strategy and plans on childminding agencies.

[sarah707]

Yes AgentTink I did read it!

Remember when the 'deregulation' petition was closed down last year and I said at the time - this thing is not going away just because it's gone quiet?

I am so sad that I was right

[teacake2]

Reading it quickly Sarah, they sound just like the company Sitters but with a bit of training included at a cost of course, although the first aid isn't too bad compared with some areas.
They are only offering part-time childcare though and of course we would be employed by them, not self-employed anymore.
Teacake2

[SammySplodger]

They have been piloting since last September!

:-(

[The Juggler]

its very scary how fast this is going without anyone actually being in favour of it.

[migimoo]

I suddenly feel queasy

[SYLVIA]

I suddenly feel queasy

I know that feeling, It's like an army marching towards us that we can't stop!

[hectors house]

They have been piloting since last September!

:-(

Everytime I see the word "piloting" my brain subsitutes the word "plotting" - think that is closer to the truth We have been well and truely stitched up!

[Christi]

What I really don't get is how their model could really provide 'quality' childcare. Gutting.

[mazza58]

Hi they are based about 6 miles from me and I did my nvq3 with them. They had government funding so I was offered the course for free and it was all done by computer and a mentor came out to observe me in the areas needed.