Welcome to your new section of the forum!

[sarah707]

A number of childminders have approached the Childminding Forum asking for a section dedicated to independent childminders.

So here it is!


This is YOUR section - for YOU to talk about what YOU intend to do to remain independent.

You can use it to discuss your concerns for independence AND to ask advice and share information and good practice about independence.

The next few months are going to be a learning journey for every one of us as we decide what we want to do - join an agency or stay independent.

The Childminding Forum is here to support you - whatever you choose

[FussyElmo]

That explains the section I saw last night - wondered if it was under construction

[Simona]

Thanks Sarah for putting 'independence' in a special place

Agencies are coming but we do not know in what shape or form...in fact it looks like there will be many models that Truss will allow to be formed
My recommendation is that cms keep informed, share concerns, support each other and ask questions...as many as you have.

We also do not know what the LAs role will be in relation to agencies and those who remain truly independent..in other words those who will not belong to any association for indepedent cms, and we seem to have 4 choices from Monday ...we will need to fine a new 'name' for us!

There are too many unclear areas at present such as training, support, new Ofsted inspection framework in future, and above all who monitors the agencies' quality...do they have a Code of practice or will they do as they please, like 152 LAs have been allowed to do?...if so why join them?...wait and see how they operate first then make an informed choice

Off to write to the DfE...keep giving those questions so we can send them off to them!!

[silvermist]

What a great idea! Im all for being independent!

[Mollymop]

This is a good idea, Thanks.

[Vicki Malone]

This is a good idea, Thanks.

I'm staying independent until i see what happens..looks like we are all swimming in circles for a while

[Jamik]

I have been a childminder for 25 yrs + and have seen and worked with many changes. There is no way I will work with agencies.

[Toothfairy]

Thank you
I'm an Independent Childcare Professional and proud of it

[SYLVIA]

Thank you
I'm an Independent Childcare Professional and proud of it

Perhaps this is the title we should all advertise ourselves as. It sounds really professional and important rather than an agency childminder!

[Aggie]

I too am an independent childminder and intend to stay that way

[kats]

This is brilliant, somewhere for us who want to remain independent to share our concerns, thank you!!

[Tups]

Good idea,

[jillplum]

I will stay independant unless and untill someone categorically proves to me that it is in my best interest to do otherwise.

[cathtee]

I'm an independant childminder and will stay that way or retire.

Thanks Sarah a great place for us all to share our thoughts

[lindylou]

I'm an independant childminder and will stay that way or retire.

Thanks Sarah a great place for us all to share our thoughts

Thanks Sarah yes I will be staying independant definately against Agencies

[bindy]

The day I join an agency is the day I pack in.

[Bumble Beez]

The day I join an agency is the day I pack in.

Seconded...I will give up childminding if I am forced to join an agency

Sarah x

[MessybutHappy]

Oooh, exciting! People call independent midwives because they want a personal service, not to be left to the vagaries of the state! I think that soon people will be calling independent childminders/child care professionals for the same reason!

Gooooo Uuuusssss!

[Mrs Scrubbit]

Thank you I'm remaining idependent until the day I tidy my toys away for the very last time x

[littlemiss60561]

Thank you sarah.
Ill be staying independent and quite fancy putting that on my business cards! Sounds far more professional I think.
Maybe we should chain ourselves to the gates of no 10. Will be a nice rest if anything! ill bring my pop up tents and some wine...