UKCMA feedback on their meeting with Lord Storey

[Simona]

This is a very short feedback from the meeting UKCMA had with Lord Storey about agencies this week

Sorry to say I expected a bit more that this very short comment...what was discussed, what did the Lord say?
They say they will support independent cms...how ? what is the alternative proposed if any?
A bit disappointed but maybe you can add your comment

All Change? Make sure you have your say | UKCMA

[miffy]

It doesn't say a lot does it.

If this was an organisation I was thinking would represent me I would not be very impressed. At the very least I would have expected some feedback on whatever was discussed at the meeting

Miffy xx

[Simona]

They say the bill had been passed by the House of Commons ...yes that it true we already knew that
I also read Lord Storey was not aware that cms are inspected...or something similar?
If that is so what can he do to help when inspections are the very core reason we do not want agencies because we want to retain them??

so that makes me wonder why he wanted a meeting in the first place...
The pilots will start Sept 2013 until end of the year...those piloting wll be known and that means we will know which LAs are going to be setting up agencies...
I am not sure at this stage how will they will be piloting 'support for cms' when there are no cms registered yet with them?


We also know that after that there will be a consultation on agencies and also one on the inspection framework

When that consultation comes out we will have to really get heard and lobby associations and other providers, as many as possible to respond to...this is when the rest of the workforce will show their true colours by responding against the proposals


The MAIN aim is to stop any cms running into the arms of an agency because they can talk themselves into it
Joining an agency is DEREGULATION

We need to keep the debate in the open as much as possible and not just on Facebook
We also need to keep asking the LAs so they do not consider running an agency.
Yes they know us best and yes they can support us...but they should have done that all along not now because they scared for their jobs and cms will be paying them???
They will not disappear but they are aware their funding is going to be cut

As Sarah has said many cms are apprehensive of inspections and that could be a reason for them to join an agency
We need to tackle that too, reassure cms and give as much support as possible

UKCMA promise to support cms ..how?
What I want to know is how many cms are their members? does anyone know?
is anyone a member?

[Simona]

Sorry Angel I know you were not directing this at me in particular

Smiley...that website is available for all to see and connect to if they wish
I have seen the feedback and that is why I said we are ALL doing what the Lord suggested but I am disappointed UKCMA did a very short feedback which I linked here at the start

If this forum does not allow a link to the website that has to be respected...we can still get there if we want

The sector will come together when the consultation is out on agencies...from what Sue Gregory said and all the other big chiefs in Ofsted I questioned at various conferences that is not now but in the near future...then we can call the sector to support but it does not mean that there is no campaign going on
What can they do now that they have not already done?

At the PLA conference I was taken aback from the opposition to agencies from preschools...they were shouting at Ofsted and the woman had to tell them to 'calm down' as she gathered feelings were high
At the conference in London it was Kidsunlimited that put a question to Ofsted on agencies...and she was very blunt telling Ofsted they are not needed

So we have support but we maybe be under shock because of the news the LAs are piloting agencies...that is what gets my blood pressure up and I know many cms will question them as I have mine

[Celyn]

I don't understand why you say it's a facebook campaign.
The collation of reports, petition, blogs is web-based:

Http://Www.******************.com

Welcome to all.

[marie55]

I don't understand why you say it's a facebook campaign.
The collation of reports, petition, blogs is web-based:

Http://Www.******************.com

Welcome to all.

How can childminders get information from various sources when links are starred out as in this helpful post?

[sarah707]

The forum is working very hard to ensure all childminders are fully supported through the changes that are coming - childminders who want to belong to agencies and childminders who want to stay independent are equally welcome here.

The forum is against agencies - yes of course it is - it sees absolutely no benefit whatsoever in childminders paying a percentage of their income to an agency!

But agencies are already here - they are going ahead - it is our job to make sure childminders are fully informed and aware of their options.

For childminders who want to stay independent, as well as the forum itself, we have added a new website and a new Facebook page. This is part of the forum's commitment to reaching out to all childminders, whatever their chosen medium.

When UKCMA publishes their (hopefully more detailed) feedback we will let you all know - as I promised yesterday.

Please respect the fact that we are all looking towards the future in different ways.

Thank you

[Simona]

Sorry I did not mean it is all Facebook based...but a lot happens there and many cms are not on Facebook

What I mean is an open discussion will involve ALL in the sector...I am not sure how Facebook works but I feel it is 'closed' and only for those invited in the page or so I understand...so it is not possible to read because it is not a public forum...does that explain it?

Not sure which website you have posted but this campaign cannot be based in one website...this forum and my focus group also collate all the information, the more places the info is available the more cms are bound to be aware.

[marie55]

I belong to 6 Facebook childminder groups all are sharing petitions and blogs to raise awareness and keep people informed. I think a full feedback is on UKCMA but for members only, I could be wrong as I'm not a member. A lot of childminders who were not aware of what is going on re agencies etc have benefitted from being part of a SHARED childminding community.
It's important we work together on this, we all want the same thing 'Better outcomes for all children and our business' A part of the blog which stood out for me is this statement:

And so moving forward and bearing in mind the suggestions made by Lord Storey – Can we come together as a sector? Can we work together on a action plan – each playing our own part but joined together by a action plan? Can people put aside the fact that they belong to or work for different organisations? Can people forget historical and personal reasons why have not worked together before? Can people say I believe this to be so important it does not matter what others say or think – I am not a sheep- I am an individual and so I am going to follow my own beliefs and principles and not wait for others to do something first?

[Kiddleywinks]

Sarah was trying to get the feedback from UKCMA yesterday

I would have hoped that as the views they received, about 100, were from members and non members alike, the feedback would be made accessible to all asap.

[sarah707]

Sarah was trying to get the feedback from UKCMA yesterday

I would have hoped that as the views they received, about 100, were from members and non members alike, the feedback would be made accessible to all asap.

I haven't been informed about any feedback from UKCMA yet Kiddleywinks - I did ask them to let me know when it was published.

I am not at home so I don't have all my log ins - but I would be surprised if they have put it in their member area when, as you say, comments were submitted by members and non members.

I would have expected an email alerting everyone to feedback on such an important subject as well.

I'll do some more checking when I get home later x

[Simona]

I would say I am very well informed ...or as informed as I can be and do so by looking at lots of sources of information

Take a look at my focus group and also the information I share here in this forum
I am also aware at the source of information you mention below..it is one of many and all contribute to keeping cms updated!

Sorry it is not my forum and I cannot comment on that ...there is little missing here and I find it useful and would not say I am lacking from infor sharing in this forum

[Simona]

UKCMA have fedback and it is on their website ...I picked it up on Twitter and posted it for all to see...as I said it is very short but more info is available to those who want to look for it.
UKCMA do not appear to have a forum for members unless I have missed it?

[sarah707]

UKCMA have fedback and it is on their website ...I picked it up on Twitter and posted it for all to see...as I said it is very short but more info is available to those who want to look for it.
UKCMA do not appear to have a forum for members unless I have missed it?

They don't have a forum - but they do have a member section - I'm not at home so I can't log in and check. I will look later and get back to you x

[Celyn]

You really should all be talking to each other, communicating and sharing the information.

It is this ringfenced "well MY forum is the one that people should be using" attitude that is preventing all childminders from getting the message.

A lot of childminders ARE on Facebook and no-where else. That's why the campaign is also on there - so they can be reached. Nothing to do with it being closed.

[Celyn]

I'm sure you are well-informed. We need to ensure that EVERYONE is well informed.

If that involves opening up the campaign on Facebook and other social media sites, I really don't see why there should be criticism of that.

[Celyn]

Well said, Kidleywinks!!!

[Simona]

Facebook is not to everyone's taste...I am not there and do not intend to go as I have all the info I need in the open forums including this one.

As for talking to each other ...we certainly are and cms are free to use whichever medium they find most suitable to them
Many cms are in every forum they can get into while others focus on a few...personal choice and it does not mean they lose on information

I can be accused of anything but not of 'not sharing' or 'not talking' to others...I do and do so with as many as I can reach...I am not omnipresent but do my best as do all other cms in their own way
Every effort matters...however small

[Kiddleywinks]

Facebook is not to everyone's taste...I am not there and do not intend to go as I have all the info I need in the open forums including this one.

As for talking to each other ...we certainly are and cms are free to use whichever medium they find most suitable to them
Many cms are in every forum they can get into while others focus on a few...personal choice and it does not mean they lose on information

I can be accused of anything but not of 'not sharing' or 'not talking' to others...I do and do so with as many as I can reach...I am not omnipresent but do my best as do all other cms in their own way
Every effort matters...however small

You definately could never be accused of not sharing (and it is very much appreciated)

[Simona]

Thank you Sarah
What I have read is enough ...if there is further input and you feel like sharing that is fine too.
My understanding is that both cms members and non members were invited to input ideas so any feedback should be available to all...but it really does not matter to me as I have responded to their tweet