Buynip...I posted the second comment before seeing your reply.
You certainly make good points which again trigger reflection
My idea of being pro-active is that we now need to have this debate in the open with our associations....agencies are here now...so what is next for all of us?
I totally understand the 'competition' you refer to...I was in the past a 'Support cm' where I helped cms to register and get to inspection...did I see them as competition?...no never.
The only competition I see is in paperwork...if we share it means cms copy our ideas but not develop their own....I have often been asked to pass my on but never did but happy to discuss how I got there.
Those who felt you should not be a CM speak for their own shortcomings and prejudice...cliques existed when networks were up and running ...some of those cms hardly ever mixed with the rest...a few enlightened ones did.
I wish we had more men in childminding in my area...what a difference that would make! cliques usually happen with women...sorry not being unkind but that is my experience....so no offence to anyone.
Agency cms will be 'deregulated' but ...as the agency will be regulated by Ofsted...that is how they will get around that divisive issue.
The blame for the 2 tier now lies at the door of the DfE, Ofsted and 4 Children...we got angry with agencies but let the guilty ones scott free
the woman running @Home childcare was the first one to complain about the negativity against agencies...did she not comment on that when responding to the Childcare Bill?...oh and often said so on twitter if anyone dared ask a question saying it was putting cms off!!
that in my view triggered the secrecy we all perceived.
Good to debate and I hope we find a way forward.