Hi,
Our plans are to have inspection report and an up to date RAG rating for every childminder online
I will keep my official Ofsted rating thankyou. I know parents don't always read the ofsted reports but I still think parents will choose an ofsted registered CM with an official rating rather than a RAG rating from an agency. Especially since I can't see agency CMs offering a cheaper service due to paying fees to the agency.
The problem is that agencies will be allowed to 'inspect' cms...it is in the guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...date=&to_date=
My EY team has applied to become an agency and they have stated they will inspect cms and grade them...that is the first worry when these people running agencies ...and anyone can....are NOT trained to inspect but will reassure parents cms have had an inspection.
The RAG grading is soooooo out of date it is unbelievable anyone would use it...it has no scope for aiming beyond good.
Maybe Agency12 needs to look at what is happening in terms of QA
Not all agencies will charge parents...we need to wait and hear although many agencies will not divulge that information.
Our EY Agency will not charge but then the whole package is laughable anyway.
It is worrying too that an agency would still ask now: what do cms want?
CMs please read all the document in that link...too many are still not well informed....agencies have been pushed in the background because of other matters
Do not wait until you have to say : I didn't know that!
If anyone is going to any OBC meeting please raise this to the Ofsted panel...I am off to the London OBC in June with a list of questions.
I would say Ofsted in their 'once over' ...God forbid I would take that description seriously....will expect an agency to evidence that without asking cms first.
keep informed and dust off all the publications !!!
More than scary it is frustrating as agencies have been forgotten but I am sure lots is going on behind the scenes....not just on this issue but many.
Follow PLA and their plans for the sector...a good challenge for all.
I think it is just a question of rekindling the challenge about agencies and getting answers!
The annoying thing is when Agency 12 does make a statement it is false or misleading...on this occasion she has mentioned the cost of an inspection ....she is totally wrong...as all the informed Cms know as Ofsted have confirmed the figures ...so why does Agency 12 say she has heard?....gossip won't do
That is why I have tried to respond to her waffle and address matters.
Agency 12 ...no one asked you to talk about other CMs agencies...you did twice....mentioning the one in my area which you know nothing about and it shows.
You came on this forum saying you were preparing for the 'once over' and that you were not competent enough to support CMs in safeguarding asking questions.
Your whole terminology, writing and language is very unprofessional and it sounded an alarm bell for me....in fact your whole package is rather dubious.
it is not difficult to identify you and, as said, I will make sure this kind of thing is not allowed to happen again by using Cms to provide you with info you should know back to front.
Rubybubbles is correct...it shows that Agency 12 is not aware of the long campaign by CMs and the inspection/registration fee saga.
I know it would be better to step back from this because it is utter rubbish but I do not intend letting Agency 12 spread misinformation and then shyly say she is not allowed to divulge anything...that is telling in itself.
This whole thread has taught me a lot...I hope those reading it have made notes on how revealing Agency 12 has been in her statements and hope no one else is allowed to make use of cms in such a way...I am appalled.
Last edited by Simona; 08-06-2015 at 08:20 AM.
I've just noticed a fifth agency has registered a few days ago.
Yes and that agency is in my LA...which I have been writing about a lot as we have huge concerns about it.
PLA tweeted yesterday they are now registered.
That agency is a Social Enterprise called Achieving for Children...it is between Richmond and Kingston
So now I have an agency right on my door step....our next CMs forum will be great fun.
I believe that when agencies apply they are given a number such as CA0001 etc etc...looks like no 10 has achieved registration before the others possibly because their plan is exactly how they run their Network.
Slowly slowly they will all register.
My local authority seems to be laying off pedagogy staff rather than creating anything that
could become an agency
Who are the slowly slowly they will all register ?
Cm's with a handle on EYFS and a few ofsted inspections under their belt (especially the outstanding ones) would be crazy to join an agency.
I can see local authorities getting in on the act, Richmond is a start - but unless they make it somehow obligatory, or especially difficult for cm's to operate unless they 'agency-up' they will be a LA with a childcare team called an agency in name only
Richmond LA is not the agency...Achieving for Children is...very different I'm afraid.
Each cm who remains 'independent' is an agency in itself because the main choice is remaining 'registered' with Ofsted...that is exactly what Truss believed ...but things have moved on since and she is now busy culling badgers.
As you are a nursery can you explain why you feel adequately knowledgeable and competent in being an agency for CMs?
What is 'agency up'?...I would call it 'agency down' to use your jargon.
I fail to understand what having a 'handle on the EYFS' actually means...or is it that we have a good knowledge of the framework?
As for who gets registered you will have to wait and see....some of us are still digging and questioning!
Last edited by Simona; 06-06-2015 at 07:44 AM.
Tribal, Prospects and SERCO contracts renewed by Ofsted to carry out early Years inspections
Ofsted extends third-party early years inspection contracts | Children & Young People Now
Trident missiles still inspected by MoD!!
Achieving for children seem to be top heavy with council folk - they even offer council pensions to employees - I'm not sure how autonomous they are (or would wish to be)
The obvious contenders for agencies are the likes of 'achieving' or indeed PACEY - i'd like to know if St Bedes CA000001 got 'outstanding' and who/what they compared it to, with so few of us it's difficult to get an overview
Does agency 12 ever answer a question or do they think they are like politicians and only answer a question with another question or some other sort of drivel, it is just like listening to government officials.
Teacake2
Achieving for Children is a big Social Enterprise and its remit is very wide.....included in that is now being a CM agency.
You can read lots of articles in the press...you would find them fascinating!
The letter I have received from its CEO is even more interesting!
AfC is a SE between 2 LAs which have merged so I am sure it is , as you say; 'top heavy with council folk'....maybe you mean those who worked for Richmond LA and Kingston are now employed by AfC? in which case you are correct.
They would have pension schemes in place because every employer has to do that now...see recent govt legislation...is that related to agencies or this thread?
AfC ...is it independent?...well not really a concern for you as you are a nursery....but a concern for cms like me who fought the agency idea and questioned a lot of things...and, as said, now have an agency on our doorstep...I am sharpening my focus even more to keep an eye on them.
Anyone can be an agency....or at least that is the govt's idea and what Truss said to me and my colleague when we met her in 2012.
As long as an agency de-registers cms and follows the Ofsted guidance...voila' ...job done.
If, as you say, the obvious contenders are AfC or Pacey...why have you applied to register?
Either you have little knowledge of CMs or you are here asking questions to inform your agency model? and prepare for your registration visit...or something else?
You did ask me a question about who will register in future and I have not answered that one...you will find out soon....but I think they may have a bit more understanding than that you appear to have from your questions.
Also ask 4 Children...DfE strategic partner!
Also look at who Darrel Care is...very revealing!
St Bede's has received its registration visit....I don't know if they received Outstanding...but if they did, is possibly because they have all the required paperwork and support in place, have a model that is acceptable to DfE and Ofsted and have submitted a good plan which, I am afraid to say, you do not seem to have or give impression you do.
Teacake....Agency 12 has been approved as a member of this forum and asks a lots of questions but rarely replies...so I apologise if this is boring people.
Leaving her questions unanswered may give agency 12 more room for speculation and wild assumptions.
You may remember at the very start of this saga that many potential agencies invited cms to attend meeting where lots of questions were asked of us...to inform their model....many cms were furious at this tactic....many voiced their concerns.
Sadly it is what agency 12 is using...coming here and asking lots of questions but never give an answer.
This is extremely concerning but obviously not to those members reading as there are no objections raised ,although the thread is read widely.
Very sad really for Cms to be used in this way!
The London OBC on 24 June has CMs agencies on the agenda...I shall seek many clarifications then!
Last edited by Simona; 07-06-2015 at 08:05 AM.
I am reading and am not in favour of agencies but as I can see no point in discussing anything with a prospective agency and therefore giving them ideas, I am not joining in a discussion.
I read in the hope that I read something that makes me think people setting up agencies actually know the market and what they are doing.
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