No need to be accredited to do 3-4's funded places from Sep 2012?

[jumpinjen]

I just completed the survey about the future of CM'ing, and one question asked if we were planning to provide funded places for 3-4's from Sep 2012 when the requirements changed i.e. that we no longer needed to be on a network - what is that all about? Is it changing? Only asking as one of my parents wants me to do it but my DO is a rottweiler and I'm not keen on her having a big say in my practice so didn't want to do it - if it changes I may - anyone know any more?

Jen x

[nipper]

Wow, in the same position as you apart from the rottweiler. Will be interested to find out what is going to happen.

[miffy]

No, saw that question but haven't got any info (can't find any either)

I'm going through the accreditation process atm nd now wondering if I'm wasting my time

Miffy xx

[Rubybubbles]

I just completed the survey about the future of CM'ing, and one question asked if we were planning to provide funded places for 3-4's from Sep 2012 when the requirements changed i.e. that we no longer needed to be on a network - what is that all about? Is it changing? Only asking as one of my parents wants me to do it but my DO is a rottweiler and I'm not keen on her having a big say in my practice so didn't want to do it - if it changes I may - anyone know any more?

Jen x

hehe this has cheered me up tonight thanks

xx

[jumpinjen]

hehe this has cheered me up tonight thanks

xx

Glad someone thinks it's funny!!

[ChocolateChip]

Those of us in Devon had a letter about it a while ago saying that they are no longer running the network system (we used to have level 1, 2 and 3 cm's) and they are relaxing the rules about taking the funding.
Can't remember the exact criteria but will try and dig it out.

[jumpinjen]

Hmmmm - well if it is a choice for the LA whether they relax the rules or not then ours will probably make up even more paperwork instead of relaxing - they think that the more bits of paper that are filled in, the better the standard of your childcare - and I mean useless charts and tick boxes, and repeating yourself with evidence that is none of their business - gah!

Jen x

[Monkey26]

Those of us in Devon had a letter about it a while ago saying that they are no longer running the network system (we used to have level 1, 2 and 3 cm's) and they are relaxing the rules about taking the funding.
Can't remember the exact criteria but will try and dig it out.

You still have to apply to become accredited (ie they could turn you down)... You just don't have to do the portfolio Hun dunno why I thumbs up'd I did the portfolio last year haha x

[rickysmiths]

Hertfordshire haven't run networks for a number of years. Any childminder can apply to become accredited but you have to meet certain criteria to become accredited.

I was very pleased when the 'exclusive' network system was stopped, it was very unfair and a post code lottery as to if there was one near you or not.


In a big County ( approx 1600 cms) I have been told recently that there are around 35 accredited for 3-4 year old funding and only 2 for the 2 year old funding.

The unfair thing is that us cms have to meet far more and higher criteria than any of the Private Day Nurseries or Pre Schools do.

[onceinabluemoon]

You still have to apply to become accredited (ie they could turn you down)... You just don't have to do the portfolio Hun dunno why I thumbs up'd I did the portfolio last year haha x

and you have to have a level 3.

I've been working towards this for 3 years thanks to one DO after another ballsing it up and now I am almost at the end they have changed the rules. I cannot even begin to explain how flipping furious I am!

[Penny1959]

As from September - the need for childminding networks to be accredited has been removed - however for last couple of years the defination of what is a network has been open to LA interputation.


Although criteria for the need for a formal network has been removed - LA's still have criteria of their own - in particular to meet the needs of the Code of Practice (new one due out now)

So you will find that each LA will have its own criteria - some have a long list some avery short one Many are using their own quality indicators based on their RAG system, or FCCERS or Equisp, or Ofsted grade - or as in the case of Worcestershire a combination of these things.

In Worcestershire you still have to have a level 3 and either a good or a outstand grade to become accredited - that is it!

But to stay accredited you have to score at least 50% on their WER quality indicator system. This score can be made up of a combination of factors including Ofsted grade, attending certain meetings / training and a FCCERS audit

If you have an overall Oustending no need to do anything else.

But as I say that is Worcestershire - each LA will have their own criteria

In my opinion a backward step because if you move you may not then meet the new LA criteria and WHO knows what the quality will be across the country as criteria is different.

Penny

[Carol M]

and you have to have a level 3.

I've been working towards this for 3 years thanks to one DO after another ballsing it up and now I am almost at the end they have changed the rules. I cannot even begin to explain how flipping furious I am!

Feel for you OIABM
All changed in Worcestershire too.
Now you can go along to a meeting with proof of registration and your bank account details and sign up.
We no longer have a network as such but you do have to agree to be assessed by WER , EQUISP and FCCERS (now optional) and this means gathering "points" by achieving or attending qualifications and training and taking part in quality improvement schemes.
All that work I did to become accredited Oh well!!
Carol xx

[kindredspirits]

I am planning on looking into becoming accreddited once i move but will have to wait until ofsted inspect me as i'm only on satisfactory. going to have to work hard to jump through a few hoops methinks.

[watgem]

Hey chocolatechip I'm 5 miles from the Devon border, do you think that counts as being in Devon lol? aslo my cousins live in Devon, does that count?!!!!Perhaps I could be an honorary Devonian childminder and come under their rules, then I might consider becoming accredited

[Tazmin68]

Interesting!

I am in Birmingham we have to be rag rated Green or Amber, part of accredited CCF network and have CRBs less than 3 years old. It would be interesting to see if they change anything

[Chatterbox Childcare]

The ruling of no network required is coming as a recommendation from central government to local government and then local government implement it in anyway they like.

I believe that all the rules and regulations are being thrashed out at the moment so don't hold your breadth of this being the case everywhere.

[ChocolateChip]

Hey chocolatechip I'm 5 miles from the Devon border, do you think that counts as being in Devon lol? aslo my cousins live in Devon, does that count?!!!!Perhaps I could be an honorary Devonian childminder and come under their rules, then I might consider becoming accredited

I'd have you as an honorary Devonian but having found the letter and read it properly it is still quite involved so you might not want to be, lol!
Apologies if i sounded flippant in my earlier post, hadn't read it all through as am not intending to ever apply for the funding, however to clarify we have to (in a nutshell, not word for word btw)have a Level 3, have at least a year's experience of working as a cm with under 5's and comply with the local conditions of funding.
Support for specialist cm's is to:
accept support from CDW on welfare requirements
attend one professional development meeting each term
attend an annual focus group
accept an annual review support visit from a CC teacher to advise on curriculum and inclusion
accept a FCCERS visit

So unfortunately it looks like not only to we have DO's 'supporting' us but cc teachers aswell!
So still not going to bother, sounds like too much hassle to me and I wouldn't really be able to compete with the local nursery anyway, I prefer to work in partnership with them!

[JCrakers]

I feel really sad about what my LA was asking.

a good or above..thats fine
a level 3 or above..thats fine also
attend 'progress from the start' couse (2hrs)...fine
attend a meeting once a term...suppose this is ok
someone to come and go through all my stuff with a fine toothed comb..also fine
To produce a stupid business plan asking me in depth about where,who, what and when, my salary for the next 3 years, my 'insight' of the next 3 years...not ok

Just to keep 1 child...too much work for me and I let them know I was cross about letting down my parents.
If I didnt live in Leics I wouldnt have to produce this useless peice of paperwork!!

[Sara T]

Hi, Im in Birmingham, looking to possibly be accredited, have a visit on monday from development worker ( that ive never met before! ) and my network co ordinator ( who Ive seen more that the mystery development worker!)

I believe they are coming to discuss what its all about, what I may need to do and if I want to do it and whats involved. Im happy to do any training, level 3's etc as I love learning and doing new things but I want to make sure all the extra work will allow me to do many extra things with my practice.

No point having to produce loads of extra work on top of my current hefty workload with accounts, general paperwork, learning journeys for 8 children and also looking after my own 2 children!!!

will see how it goes on monday and decide from there



Sara

[blue bear]

As far as I am aware la's have the choice of whether to make us jump through hoops or not, they do have the choice to make it simple just like they do for pre schools and nurseries. Here they have combined the support workers for nurseries and childminders don't think they can believe the difference, it's so unfair. Somehow childminders have to do so much more, it's as if they think we are second best and have to prove ourselves.