Independent Childminders Social Enterprise

[lizann]

Totally agree with Simona think we all need to take a deep breath calm down we need to stick togeather dicide togeather what we do, there is no rush to join anything at the moment

[SammySplodger]

I apologise if my post last night worried anyone, but I am just trying to be realistic. Bunyip has listed out some of the stuff that also crossed my mind that I didn't say....

Things are moving so fast, that I feel the need to start planning now for survival. For example, I am already putting money aside to pay for my next inspection.

It might seem like duplication to some, but I do feel the need for a 'step by step guide to staying Independent' to be published somewhere 'neutral' that I know and trust (like here, for example). But in a non-forum format, using the info the forum members have researched.

Various other membership organisations are going to provide this 'service', but we should be able to access that information easily without feeling compelled to 'join up'.

Many of my fellow local CMs do not use fora because they find it daunting, not necessarily because of other posters, but because of needing to wade through threads to get to the vital action points. So this suggestion has partly come from those who are NOT on here.

I would feel a lot happier and more 'in control' if we could start sharing 'the way forward' instead of all this drip-feed and speculation.

[phoenix2010]

I dont see how funding could be routed through agencies alone

and tax credits arent administered through childminders anyway , it goes to the parents as part of their tax credit claim

Im not going to assume that parents will choose super nurseries either , parents Ive spoken to are all appalled at the idea

Im not saying there wont be difficulties and I think that competition will increase , I also think there will be less childminders , put off by the changes , so maybe it will balance out

Im aware that there will be problems ahead but Im not going to make myself ill worrying about what may or may not happen , Ill deal with things as they happen as none of us have a crystal ball and we are all in the dark as each other

I have my eyes wide open , but Im not going to assume the absolute worst ...yet!

[Simona]

The only people who can give a step by step guide is the DfE...Ofsted need to release their new framework, we will be consulted on agencies soon so all we can do is debate in various forums and add to the list of what needs to be clarified...my list is endless
After the budget today LAs will have a more clear understanding of what they can offer

The only way forward is engagement with the DfE with all cms not just those interested in agencies
I have written to the DfE again today with clear questions...if i do not get them I will write again and again

[SammySplodger]

We all have different ways and stages of coping with this kind of stress and mine is something like this:

1) Freak out
2) Denial
3) Freak out again - but realise it doesn't get me anywhere
4) Start looking for escape routes
5) Realise that many escape routes are actually dead ends
6) Start researching escape routes properly instead of just running down them
7) Form a plan
8) Execute plan
9) Success!

I am at stage 6 I think, with the occasional lapse into stage 3 late at night.

:-)

[phoenix2010]

We all have different ways and stages of coping with this kind of stress and mine is something like this:

1) Freak out
2) Denial
3) Freak out again - but realise it doesn't get me anywhere
4) Start looking for escape routes
5) Realise that many escape routes are actually dead ends
6) Start researching escape routes properly instead of just running down them
7) Form a plan
8) Execute plan
9) Success!

I am at stage 6 I think, with the occasional lapse into stage 3 late at night.

:-)

I like this a lot and you are absolutely right

I am currently going through a calm phase , but a few weeks ago I was definitely panicking

and no doubt as more news feed out I will pass through panic again and many more stages

I totally respect every single persons way of dealing with this , their thoughts and opinions.

I just dont happen to agree with them all and vice versa and thats fine , the most important thing is that despite our different thoughts on what may or may not happen and our various ways of dealing with the changes we stick together and dont forget that we all want the same thing in the end , independence and the right to earn a living.

[SammySplodger]

... the most important thing is that despite our different thoughts on what may or may not happen and our various ways of dealing with the changes we stick together and dont forget that we all want the same thing in the end , independence and the right to earn a living.

Absolutely! Hear Hear! :-)

[SammySplodger]

OK so I'm trying to be positive... Let's talk it up instead of down:

I have two Mindees and things are going well, I have a good relationship with both sets of Parents. I was asked to look after their children instead of a Nursery because they know I only look after a maximum of 3 children in total. I usually just have 1 or 2 at a time. That and the home from home setting are their main concerns. For them it isn't about the money, it's about the confidence they have in my ability to look after their children properly.

I have no evidence to suspect that my business will suddenly start to 'implode' because of Truss and her plans. Parents are horrified about the what is going on and very supportive (I am keeping them up to date). They have no plans to change things for the foreseeable future.

I DO have evidence that there are other parents locally (potential customers) who agree with existing parents and want to give their children the best care possible. They are not stupid, they don't want to waste their hard earned cash on paying an agency to find a Childminder, who already advertises locally.

My enquiries so far have come from my own advertising, leaflets, childcare.co.uk, face to face meetings at toddler group and school or word of mouth.

I imagine some or all if the above also applies to many others.

So, my only real issues are on a practical / admin level (with Ofsted) and keeping up to date with training. Which, frankly (my LA isn't particularly proactive) is not much different to how things are now anyway.

I think I need to inset 'calm phase' into my list, like Phoenix! :-)

[loocyloo]

So, my only real issues are on a practical / admin level (with Ofsted) and keeping up to date with training. Which, frankly (my LA isn't particularly proactive) is not much different to how things are now anyway.

:-)

same here, although my LA is fantastic for childminders ... or at least, for those that are interested !!! those that don't want to do anything are not going to ever do any more than the bare minimum. although even those i have spoken to, don't want agencies and want to be left alone in their own worlds! some childminders seem to think that an agency run exactly the way our LA/FIS is run would be great ... i agree, but there are bound to be other forces at play, which make it unlikely to happen.

[justgoodfriends]

Putting aside that the govt could make it difficult to remain independent by all the reasons Bunyip and others have said... I can't help feeling that some parents, given the option, may feel that their child is better placed/safer in a an environment that is regularly monitored by an agency (rather than inspected every 3-4 years), especially if this is promoted heavily by the government as being 'in the child's best interests'.

[Simona]

But who are these qualified people in agencies that will monitor cms?
what if their experience, qualifications are lower than those they intend to monitor?
what kind of monitoring scheme will they have?
how often will they visit cms?
are the LAs stopping monitoring cms? we have had no news of this
The ******* will monitor and investigate cms? what does it mean?
Ofsted investigate us ..will they take that role on because they are inspected by Ofsted not the individual cms?
they will run online surveys for parents?
what will they ask parents?

Just a few more questions to add to the list...

[Simona]

Article in Children and Young People Now about Pacey and *******

Childminding sector split over national representation | Children & Young People Now

[AgentTink]

In the comments section of the above article is another company Trio who have stated in their comments that they too are helping the DfE devise a agency model here are their comments

Trio Childcare Connections have been supporting Registered Childminders across England for over 16 years. We developed and managed for 6 years now, a bespoke Quality Improvement Network, designed in tiers to provide support at all stages of a childminding career with specialist opportunities for childminders to meet local priorities.
Trio are working with the Department for Education currently on developing a framework for childminder agencies, a new initiative the Government are hoping to launch next year, as this may be an attractive proposition and benefit some home-based childcarers.
Whilst we strive to retain local authority contracts so Registered Childminders have access to a breath of continuous professional development, we will also be launching later in the year, individual membership opportunities for childminders to attract our support wherever they are across England.
Trio want to ensure that all childminders still have the option of retaining their independence and have access to high quality support and training to offer the best service they can to children and their families, through a range of distance and e-learning opportunities with ourselves.
Trio recognise that some childminders may like the option of being part of an agency and not having to endure, what they perceive as an onerous Ofsted Inspection, whilst others should retain the right to welcome the opportunity of demonstrating to Ofsted, their quality childcare and early years provision.

[loocyloo]

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

my brain can't take any more!

[Mouse]

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

my brain can't take any more!

You really have to envy some of these childminders who are totally unaware of any of this, don't you?

I'm going for the head in the sand approach today...blissful for a while, but you wouldn't survive there for long

[justgoodfriends]

In the comments section of the above article is another company Trio who have stated in their comments that they too are helping the DfE devise a agency model here are their comments

Trio Childcare Connections have been supporting Registered Childminders across England for over 16 years. We developed and managed for 6 years now, a bespoke Quality Improvement Network, designed in tiers to provide support at all stages of a childminding career with specialist opportunities for childminders to meet local priorities.
Trio are working with the Department for Education currently on developing a framework for childminder agencies, a new initiative the Government are hoping to launch next year, as this may be an attractive proposition and benefit some home-based childcarers.
Whilst we strive to retain local authority contracts so Registered Childminders have access to a breath of continuous professional development, we will also be launching later in the year, individual membership opportunities for childminders to attract our support wherever they are across England.
Trio want to ensure that all childminders still have the option of retaining their independence and have access to high quality support and training to offer the best service they can to children and their families, through a range of distance and e-learning opportunities with ourselves.
Trio recognise that some childminders may like the option of being part of an agency and not having to endure, what they perceive as an onerous Ofsted Inspection, whilst others should retain the right to welcome the opportunity of demonstrating to Ofsted, their quality childcare and early years provision.

They're hedging their bets aren't they lol! They seem to be saying they can support childminders as an agency and also to be independent?!

[SammySplodger]

I'm sure there will be plenty more organisations popping up over the coming weeks and months... I'm caring less and less about what they all have to say. They are watching our fora and social media and marketing accordingly.

Has anyone on Twitter noticed their followers increasing more than usual? Almost all of my new followers are existing 'childcare providers' (ie: not CMs) or 'education specialists' who strangely haven't tweeted yet...

I am viewing all of this rather differently now and have definitely turned a corner:

There is no need to panic

We don't need to sign up to ANYTHING yet

Once it becomes clear how we go about remaining independent, the information will be shared and we will continue to support each other.

[jo.jo76]

At playgroup today, right at the end I was just as we were about to walk out the door, one of the playworkers said, could we all hold on a moment as one of the Mums wanted to ask us all something. I stopped to hear this Mum say - "I work for a childcare agency" (in my head I freaked out! What was she about to say!!! lol) She said she worked for Nannytax and was looking for parents willing to discuss the changes to the childcare vouchers scheme. I was a little relieved but still left feeling a bit freaked out!

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I noticed that Stuart Turner was involved but whilst he lobbeyed for NCMA he never actually produced anything.... talk talk talk...

I have registered just to see what is going on.

I also registered my chatterbox email only to be told that it was already registered, so either they have got my details from NCMA (ummm I didn't give permission for that) or someone has registered on my behalf.

Open page until tomorrow but I think if these and PACEY are halved in membership them so is out clout at government level.

[Mouse]

I noticed that Stuart Turner was involved but whilst he lobbeyed for NCMA he never actually produced anything.... talk talk talk...

I have registered just to see what is going on.

I also registered my chatterbox email only to be told that it was already registered, so either they have got my details from NCMA (ummm I didn't give permission for that) or someone has registered on my behalf.

Open page until tomorrow but I think if these and PACEY are halved in membership them so is out clout at government level.

Someone else said that had happened. If it's a glitch it's bad, but maybe understandable. If it's any other reason, that's really not good