We have a list of people who are on the Task and Finish Group from Ms Truss -
Child Minding: 3 Jun 2013: Hansard Written Answers and Statements - TheyWorkForYou
Let’s look at each of them and consider why they might be there -
Ofsted - we know that Ofsted are pro-agencies and the driving force behind agencies because they are saying that childminders are too expensive to individually inspect. However, in the next breath, Ofsted tell us we can continue to be self employed and work outside of agency control.
Our focus needs to be on ensuring we are treated fairly. I am supporting a number of childminders at the moment who feel they have been very unfairly treated by Ofsted ... we need to fight for consistency in inspections.
I understand that there will be a consultation in the future - we will all need to be ready to respond.
National College for Teaching and Leadership -
Enquiries : The Department for Education
The website states that their aims are ‘improving the quality of the education workforce and helping schools to help each other to improve’. I wonder why they feel childminders fall within that remit.
4Children -
info@4Children.org.uk
4Children have self-employment business information on their website for childminders. Does anyone know about it? Do you use it? What is their interest in agencies? Do they intend to become one?
They are also focussed on high quality early education and care in a very positive way.
Family and Childcare Trust (previously Day Care Trust) -
info@familyandchildcaretrust.org
They are nursery orientated, concerned about nursery sufficiency and staffing. I wonder - what is their interest in childminders?
National Day Nurseries Association -
info@ndna.org.uk
The NDNA are focussed on the issues surrounding nurseries, lack of demand for spaces at the moment, low wages for staff etc. I would like to know why they feel qualified to speak on the subject of childminder agencies.
National Children’s Bureau -
enquiries@ncb.org.uk
NCB have already stated that they want to provide ‘better incentives for providers to concentrate on what matters - the children’. We need to ask NCB how they feel agencies will fulfil this if childminder morale is lowered even further because of sufficiency and training concerns.
Pre-school Learning Alliance - we already know that PLA are supporting childminders and do not agree with agencies. We need to ask them what they are going to do to continue the fight.
Northamptonshire Childminding Association -
info@childmindingnorthants.org.uk
Northamptonshire were asked by Ms Truss to provide attendees at a recent meeting who agreed with her ratios and agencies plans. There was an outcry and I understand the meeting was cancelled.
We need to find out if Northamptonshire are for or against agencies so we can ask their members to lobby them to support independent childminders as well.
Norland College -
enquiries@norland.co.uk
Norland is a nanny college. Why are they interested in childminder agencies I wonder?
Independent Childminders Social Enterprise -
Contact Us | Independent Childminders Social Enterprise CICIndependent Childminders Social Enterprise CIC
We know that IC-SE were recently set up by a childminder and an ex NCMA employee. They were initially very vocal but seem to have disappeared recently. They have said that they are in the meetings as observers. We need to find out how they will support independent childminders.
Bright Horizons -
generalenquiries@brighthorizons.com
Bright Horizons are a nanny agency - are they interested in becoming a childminder agency? Why else would they be there?
Busy Bees -
Contact Busy Bees National Support Centre
Busy Bees are a nursery chain and a voucher company. Are they interested in becoming an agency?
Kidsunlimited -
Enquire about our UK day nurseries - Get in touch - Enquiry form - kidsunlimited
Again, Kidsunlimited are a nursery chain...
Association of Nanny Agencies -
margaret@anauk.org
Quote from website - ‘ANA has been in consultation with the government regarding regulation and registration of childminder agencies and how we can advise the government on these proposals using our knowledge and experience. We are part of a large group of childcare professionals all contributing our thoughts.
We are currently waiting for further information on the government’s proposals on this matter. The following papers have been published as a statement of policy intention and draft indicative regulation which will give you further information on the plans:
Children and Families Bill 2013 - About the Department
ANA is representing Nanny Agencies at this consultation and we would be happy to hear your comments.’
ARK Academies -
info@arkacademy.org
ARK operate 18 academies through the country! I am at a loss to know how they have any understanding of the needs of childminders.
Redgrave Children and Young People’s Centre -
denise.poore@luton.gov.uk
Luton based centre offering childminder drop-in groups...
Trio Childcare -
info@triochildcare.co.uk
Personally, I thought Trio might want to set up an agency. They already have a childminder network so it is not a surprise to me that they are in this group.
@Home Childcare -
info@homechildcare.co.uk
We already know that athomechildcare want to be a childminder agency. We need to find out how independent childminders in their local area will be supported.
I intend sending the following message to as many of the above as possible. I hope you do the same. Let’s make them aware that childminders want a say in what is happening to US!
Dear Sir / Madam
We understand from Lucy Powell MP, who asked a recent question of Liz Truss on ‘They work for you’ (Hansard, 13.5.2013), that you are part of the Task and Finish Group which is currently meeting and commenting on agencies for childminders.
Bearing in mind that the vast majority of childminders are against agencies, please can you confirm -
• Whether you are for or against agencies for childminders.
• Whether you are listening or advising on agencies for childminders.
• Your level of understanding of the unique needs of childminders.
• How many childminders you have consulted with so you can give their views to the Task and Finish Group.
• What you intend to offer childminders in the future.
Thank you.
I think that once we have some replies we can focus better on what we want to say to them next.
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