Do you ever look at your 'My NCMA' page?

[Penny1959]

Well do you? and if so how often?

I have to admit that in the past I only looked if reviewing policies or wanted a factsheet.

But did you know that in 'My NCMA' you can find information about what is going on in your region - including an invite to attend the Regional Forums

So why not take a look today - the most recent invites are being added now for the forums in October.

No idea what a forum is and if any point in you going?

Well a forum is run by NCMA volunteers like me - just normal working childminders - we are not paid by NCMA - but we are all passionate about childminding and all want to increase the professionalism of childminding - and most importantly discuss with other childminders issues that are important to us - and then to feed this information back to NCMA.

The debate at the October forums (all of them no matter where you live) is going to be about 'Challenging Local Issues' - so anything in your area or nationally that is concerning you.

If you are a west Midlands Childminder - look out for my other post - Invite to West Mindlands NCMA Regional Forum - as I will be attaching a copy of theOctober invite - and hot of the press news about a free gift for eveyone who attends the West Midlands Forum!

Penny

[miffy]

Errrr no not unless I want info on something and happen to be on the ncma website.

I do know about the forums though and try to go to them.

Miffy xx

[gegele]

i didn't even know i had a my ncma

[Pixie dust]

I do look every now and again, I would like to go to my regional forum but my area is large and sadly its often a 2 to 3 hour drive to get to them. I know the venue is always changed so I will just have to wait til it comes nearer to me.

[Penny1959]

I do look every now and again, I would like to go to my regional forum but my area is large and sadly its often a 2 to 3 hour drive to get to them. I know the venue is always changed so I will just have to wait til it comes nearer to me.

2 to 3 hours is a long drive Pixie dust - and these days would be expensive - have you contacted your regional officiers to let them know you are interested and would like to attend - as it may help them when planning where to holf future forums.

Hope you get to one soon

Penny

[Penny1959]

i didn't even know i had a my ncma

Gegele - I don't think you are the only one who does not know about My NCMA - it is one of the problems - how do people know what is going on in their region if they don't even know about My NCMA - and may not have need to look at NCMA website very often.

I hope you now take a look atyour 'My NCMA' page

Penny

[Carol M]

I do
I'm on the committee
Regional forums:- Fab day out,fab discussions with like minded people, really feel included,good to hear whats happening in other parts of your region and nationally, great to know we have the support of NCMA, put faces to names, great workshops, can get involved as much as you like no pressure, goody bags, free stuff, raffles and not to forget the LUNCH( yum, yum)
Carol xx

[Penny1959]

Just wondering - are there not many ncma members on the forum? Or are they all on holiday - as would have expected a few more views and replies.

Just curious really

Penny

[marian]

I shall go and have a look at 'My NCMA' now!

The Regional forum invite looks good - I am tempted - need to find out if DH is 'on call' 1st to see if I can go. Wont know anyone tho

Marian x

[Penny1959]

I shall go and have a look at 'My NCMA' now!

The Regional forum invite looks good - I am tempted - need to find out if DH is 'on call' 1st to see if I can go. Wont know anyone tho

Marian x

Hello Marian

Which region are you as if my region will look out for you and if another region can give you a contact name or just email the person whose name is on the booking form

Hope you get to go

Penny

[marian]

I m from the west midlands

About 15 mins from town (Birmingham)

Marian x

[Rubybubbles]

I go on it, but tbh not much on there really! I only went on as needed more paperwork stuff

[aly]

I do now and again, and i guess i may lose that page in feb anyway when i change over to MM.

[EmTay1285]

Hi Penny, I have just registered so have been using my pages quite a bit.
I'm a bit confused as to what I should receive on becoming a member of the NCMA? my Ofsted inspector seemed to think I should get a 'Welcome pack' containing Contracts, Child Record Forms, Accident book, fire blanket & daily register, but when I contacted NCMA they said I have to pay an extra £50 on top of my £15 joining fee & £52.50 membership fee?!

[Carol M]

Hi Penny, I have just registered so have been using my pages quite a bit.
I'm a bit confused as to what I should receive on becoming a member of the NCMA? my Ofsted inspector seemed to think I should get a 'Welcome pack' containing Contracts, Child Record Forms, Accident book, fire blanket & daily register, but when I contacted NCMA they said I have to pay an extra £50 on top of my £15 joining fee & £52.50 membership fee?!

You will only pay the joining fee once, the membership fee is annually and then you have the option of buying the NCMA Public Liability at a very reasonable price.
Don't know where your Ofsted inspector got the idea of a welcome pack for free, all these items to buy individually are more than £50. I think this offer for new members maybe what inspector is talking about, not free but certainly worth it!
Carol x
Sorry I answered instead of Penny, she will put me right if I'm wrong!

[Carol M]

I m from the west midlands

About 15 mins from town (Birmingham)

Marian x

There are 4 forum members that attend West Midlands Regionals.
Do come along Marian, it will be good to meet you.
Carol xx

[Penny1959]

I m from the west midlands

About 15 mins from town (Birmingham)

Marian x

So pleased you are from the West Mids, Marion (because the only other lady to respond about forums so far is from Oxfordshire - hopefully she will be going to theirs - but of course I was hoping to get in touch with a few new West Mids people).

Anyway please feel free to PM me ( and I bet Carol M will say the same - but wait for her to say) so we can chat a bit and get to know a bit about each other - as I think it helps to know about someone before you get there (I will be the very nervous one sat at the front - as first forum that I am chair of ). As Carol says there are 4 forum members that go to the West Mids forum so good opportuinty to put faces to names.

Penny

[Penny1959]

You will only pay the joining fee once, the membership fee is annually and then you have the option of buying the NCMA Public Liability at a very reasonable price.
Don't know where your Ofsted inspector got the idea of a welcome pack for free, all these items to buy individually are more than £50. I think this offer for new members maybe what inspector is talking about, not free but certainly worth it!
Carol x
Sorry I answered instead of Penny, she will put me right if I'm wrong!

Just to say Carol is right about the NCMA membership etc.

I think the Ofsted inspector may be referring to start up grants and / or packages. Some LA's used to offer to pay for the first year of insurance with either NCMA or MM and you also got the buisness packs as well (so contracts etc.

Some still do but is usual linked to doing all the training etc with them or some other clause

But a lot now offer nothing due toLA cut backs.

However it might be worth phoning you LA Early Years Team to see if anything available

Penny

[ninagee]

I am in Birmingham and at last going to the West Mids forum. Couldn't go before as DH was working shifts.

I look at My NCMA about once a month, when I remember of course.

Nina

[Playmate]

I have to be honest, I havn't been on there for ages but as a vounteer and married to an NPF member I do sort of keep upto date
If any anyone lives in the East Region please come and join Blue Boy and I at our next forum. Saturday 2nd October in Lutton.Mick will be leading the morning session and I will be doing the pm workshop. Also I will be a guest, delivering the workshop at the South East region forum the following week in Aylesbury