Good/Outstanding cms will not need to be in a network to do funding

Simona · 27-04-2013, 05:56 PM

This was tweeted by PACEY at one of their Local events as it was confirmed by the DfE who addressed the cms
it appears they asked one cms to send the email from her LA
I wish the DfE would send a clear message to LAs now so we don't have to battle

At last we seem to have one hurdle out of the way...now the next: where we apply for funding in September?

Have you approached your LA? do so in writing...I asked weeks ago and still got no answer but I have a providers Forum on Wednesday so I shall press the point again
This is good for independent cms...another selling point to parents and one small step sorted!!

**Allie** · 27-04-2013, 07:04 PM

I was at Marlow today and it looks like from Sept LA will have to let good or outstanding childminders eye provide without the need for networks or extra checks from LA

**ninagee** · 27-04-2013, 07:11 PM

In Birmingham, they have just allowed good/outstanding CMs to register for NEF. The only criteria is to be on the network and green RAGing. Before we had to be accredited on the CCF network.

Nina

**Belly2009** · 27-04-2013, 08:36 PM

I have been battling this for some time. The ncma network co-ordinate told me I was wrong and that I am mis-informed despite showing her the NCMA article on the matter.

Unfortunately it is still up to individual LAs on what the criteria is to join each network and mine won't budge

**Smiley** · 27-04-2013, 08:45 PM

I spoke to my LA last week and yes from September they will no longer conduct visits to see if we are 'good enough'
They are not taking anymore applications until then as they will be extremely busy putting things in places they are expecting the guidelines anytime

**Ripeberry** · 27-04-2013, 09:09 PM

But will it be much harder to get Good or Outstanding?

**lor** · 27-04-2013, 09:30 PM

Sorry could someone explain how we get the funding if we dont go through LA.
My development officer came round for a visit last week got given green rag rating but was told CRB's for me and my 2 assistants would need to be renewed
to come in line with their regulations, will cost me just under £300 pounds to get this done!
so am reconsidering funding but a couple of my parents would be over the moon if I could give them the 15hrs a week.

xx

Simona · 30-04-2013, 06:47 AM

It is because of the consultation closing on 6 May that we are trying to get clarification from the LAs on their role and support...all I can input in that consultation is that I find many barriers in my way and they should be removed??

Pacey tweeted exactly what was being said at the event: cms do not need to belong to a network to do the funding...however getting some of the LAs to engage and give an answer is proving hard as they say they need the DfE to tell them while the DfE want us to find out???

At this point I am unsure what we need to do but cms are getting fed up with this state of affairs...all we are trying to do is plan ahead a bit...I am glad to read I am not the only cm getting frustrated by all this.

Simona · 27-04-2013, 09:26 PM

Belle2009...getting the message straight from the DfE directly is hardly getting misinformed?? you are not...tell them where you got the info from!!!
LAs will have no choice but to comply...feels like they want to retain their supremacy till the end

It may be harder to get good/outstanding but the DfE/Ofsted have got to get their priorities right...either they want the funding to succeed and allow cms to participate or they make things worse by making grades harder to achieve. I doubt anyone's practice has got worse since their last inspection, I think the goal posts are being moved...to what avail??

LAs have got to come up with an answer now and that is 'they will support us' equally whether in a network or not, from inspection to inspection
I think it is quite clear but they may fight to the end

Having said that we, independent cms , have to bite the bullit and accept the funding will be below our rates, look at it from a financial point of view and decide if it is worth taking on...we still have to wait for the new funding formula to be announced

**Koala** · 28-04-2013, 07:03 AM

[QUOTE=Simona;1244287]Belle2009...getting the message straight from the DfE directly is hardly getting misinformed?? you are not...tell them where you got the info from!!!
LAs will have no choice but to comply...feels like they want to retain their supremacy till the end

It may be harder to get good/outstanding but the DfE/Ofsted have got to get their priorities right...either they want the funding to succeed and allow cms to participate or they make things worse by making grades harder to achieve. I doubt anyone's practice has got worse since their last inspection, I think the goal posts are being moved...to what avail??

LAs have got to come up with an answer now and that is 'they will support us' equally whether in a network or not, from inspection to inspection
I think it is quite clear but they may fight to the end

Having said that we, independent cms , have to bite the bullit and accept the funding will be below our rates, look at it from a financial point of view and decide if it is worth taking on...we still have to wait for the new funding formula to be announced[/QUOTE

I have claimed the funding for years now and feel I have a good understanding of the 'system'.

I would like to say the system is broken but I can 'honestly' say the system has never been fixed.

If I didn't have parents relying on me to claim I would tell the LA to take a running jump. I don't get paid on time, one time I had to send my partner in to the head office to personally collect a cheque to get my payment (talk about parents not paying), you get passed from pillar to post and the person who deals with it is 'not in today' they only work part time! It's a

joke.
Their 'system' does things so that it provides incorrect figures and then does something else so you didn't get paid this time, oh and this only happens to childminders!! They know all about the issues, agree it's

and don't care.

It may be harder to get good/outstanding - its a lot harder getting your funding correct and getting your money

'they will support us'

I have just been told that the funding is 3.75 per hour from 3.70 this comes well in to term time when I am already offering the service.
In all it's

But if I didn't do it and continue to do it it would be worse and the only way we will be treated better is in volume of childminders using the system, so don't just bite the bullet, load your guns (metaphorically speaking off course) AND GO HUNTING.

Sometimes I get the feeling LA want to ring fence the funding to support the budgets of local schools and this is why they 'p' us off so much.

Simona · 27-04-2013, 09:40 PM

lor...that is our next question
Even if the LAs disappear there will still be a dept dealing with funding, we need more clarification ...ask your LA as I will mine
CRB for cms is done by Ofsted until further notice so not sure where that sum comes from and how you could be charged that amount??

LAs cannot mention their regulations because the DfE is busy removing them if they do not comply...this is a true mess with LAs not understanding what is in the pipeline....get it clarified but no way you have to pay that sort of money!

**lor** · 27-04-2013, 10:08 PM

Thanks for advice Simona, will get on the phone on Monday but I dont hold out much hope, they just dont seem to know whats going on!
hubbie just keeps moaning on about stelth taxes when I mention CRB costs!
xx

**lilac_dragon** · 28-04-2013, 06:56 AM

I'm interested in this, as I have a Good grading at the moment and have los coming up to needing their 15 hours booked, but am not accredited. The parents have all asked me if I could do this as they'd rather use me than the Nursery.

However, if the Inspection grading is to be tougher - what if I apply, with my Good, and then have my Inspection - due next year, and get lower. It could mean that my los have to go elsewhere at short notice and I have to scrabble around for new work to be able to earn enough to pay my mortgage and food bills.
Actually, in the last sentence I said "my los have to go elsewhere at short notice" - but if I was graded lower, would I be allowed to carry on for a months notice, or would I have to stop immediately?
Head aching now!

Simona · 30-04-2013, 12:48 PM

There will be no networks from Septmeber?..my LA is busy surveying their N/cms on their future requirements such as training and cost if necessary...they have even suggested a m'ship fee for them!
Non network cms will be surveyed later on ...apparently

What the DfE is saying is clear but LAs are not responding to that...see the reply I received this morning to one of my questions

''It seems likely, given the current national information, that childminders with ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted outcomes and not on the Network, will be able to draw down funding. At present, we require childminders to be on the Network as this makes the administration much easier. When we get the final confirmation we will of course follow the proper procedure''.

Will networks disappear? some LAs have moved to a system open to all where cms get equal support, the question is whether they are removing the hoops we have to jump through

**phoenix2010** · 30-04-2013, 01:07 PM

Well our local childminding association just sent out an email pleading with us to join the network , stating that more will be needed to provide all the extra funded places for children

I really dont get why they would do that and I even sent an email back asking why in the light of the announcements are they still requiring us to join and they said that they will still require childminders to join the network as it has been proven that network minders provide a higher standard of care

I have children who could benefit now , so might plough on anyway rather than wait til september , but it does seem like another waste of time if this really is the case

**rickysmiths** · 30-04-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Simona

There will be no networks from Septmeber?..my LA is busy surveying their N/cms on their future requirements such as training and cost if necessary...they have even suggested a m'ship fee for them!
Non network cms will be surveyed later on ...apparently

What the DfE is saying is clear but LAs are not responding to that...see the reply I received this morning to one of my questions

''It seems likely, given the current national information, that childminders with ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted outcomes and not on the Network, will be able to draw down funding. At present, we require childminders to be on the Network as this makes the administration much easier. When we get the final confirmation we will of course follow the proper procedure''.

Will networks disappear? some LAs have moved to a system open to all where cms get equal support, the question is whether they are removing the hoops we have to jump through

No ALL Cms who are Registered. They only have to have Satisfactory and that is the case in Hertfordshire already. It was lowered to Satisfactory and we no longer have to do the Herts Quality Accreditation. Networks went in Herts several years ago. From September it will no longer be a requirement to have a Level 3. Networks from Sept will be illegal.

Simona · 05-05-2013, 12:23 PM

I am very interested in the subject of networks and for years I have fought about their role and usefulness in their present form as I believe they should be open to all

I was very upset at the meeting last week...in fact I had to be a very 'brave' girl and not cry there and then and hold the tears back when I got home!!!! Never felt such frustration!
I still get very worked up when I think about the discussion we had!!!

My LA will continue with the network as it is ...a network cm did say she thought they were going but when I asked her for proof she had none
I don't believe they will go but I do think...fingers crossed... they will readjust to local needs

I was asked why I don't rejoin it as it now open to all cms and said clearly I didn't want their conditions, duplication and added paperwork and told them they had created a 2 tier of cms!! I am now blacklisted ..no doubt as troublemaker.

I have just hit the 'send' button on the consultation on LAs and expressed my worry there as well as the worry about this blessed funding and how to access it

On the subject of the 'poor man' I am booked on a conference in June with the other DfE man...so I am ready with my questions!

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 28-04-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by lor

Thanks for advice Simona, will get on the phone on Monday but I dont hold out much hope, they just dont seem to know whats going on!
hubbie just keeps moaning on about stelth taxes when I mention CRB costs!
xx

Why did you have to pay for your checks? If you complete an EY2 form off of the Ofsted website it prompts the check and doesn't cost you anything.

Doesn't help much seeing you have already paid but may do so going forward

That is unless it has changed again and I don't know about it????

Simona · 01-05-2013, 09:59 AM

Some networks, or whatever they now call themselves as many LAs are changing the name, are run very well, they are inclusive and allow cms to be 'themselves', run their practice without too much prescription while accepting peer support as vital in attracting reluctant cms to seek help from colleagues

If they were all like that they would survive...it is up to cms to argue the best way to remain independent is to have an effective network or hub to keep each other supported not just via forum, helpful as it is, but face to face and revolving around cms communities

FussyElmo...have you received confirmation yours is going and why??

**catlyn** · 04-05-2013, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Simona

Some networks, or whatever they now call themselves as many LAs are changing the name, are run very well, they are inclusive and allow cms to be 'themselves', run their practice without too much prescription while accepting peer support as vital in attracting reluctant cms to seek help from colleagues

If they were all like that they would survive...it is up to cms to argue the best way to remain independent is to have an effective network or hub to keep each other supported not just via forum, helpful as it is, but face to face and revolving around cms communities

FussyElmo...have you received confirmation yours is going and why??

our network went late last year...due to lack of funding we were told....the coordinator lost her job and we were left high and dry. We have an informal network where we continue to meet up and discuss relevant info (usually what I get from here..LOL)