NCMA News

[Pipsqueak]

Welcome
This newsletter is sent to you by the National Childminding Association (NCMA), a charity and professional association. We believe every child should reach their full potential. Since 1977 we have worked with registered childminders and nannies, as well as other individuals and organisations such as local and national government, to ensure families in every community in England and Wales have access to high-quality, home-based childcare, play, learning and family support.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More children's centres working with childminders
A survey conducted by NCMA has shown that more children’s centres and registered childminders are working together than ever before, supporting parental choice. The survey also found that there has been a two per cent rise in the number of centres working with childminders on the previous year, with nine out of ten children’s centres reporting some level of engagement. See the full survey results here. http://www.*************/MainWebSite/N...&NewsGroupID=4
NCMA has also responded to the consultation on Ofsted inspecting children's centres. Click here for more information.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E-learning materials now available
NCMA has been working with National Strategies on the development of their Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) e-learning package. The course has been designed to increase childminders' confidence in implementing the EYFS, to improve skills of observation, assessment and planning and to help clarify what is required. Find out more at http://nationalstrategies.standards.....uk/earlyyears

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help with Ofsted inspections
Ofsted has produced a leaflet on what it means for childminders to be “outstanding”. The leaflet features good practice in the EYFS, and includes 10 questions for childcare providers to think about when reflecting on their practice. Click here to access the publication.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Change4Life Early Years toolkit launched
Change4Life has worked with NCMA to develop an early years toolkit aimed at childcare providers. The kit includes tips and advice, recipe ideas, posters to promote active play, and guidance on how to help parents and carers of children to eat well and move more. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life and click on “partners and supporters” or call 0300 123 3434 to register as a Change4Life local supporter and order a copy of the toolkit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NCB study of childminding practice
The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has launched a research study into childminding practice in the 21st century. With participation from NCMA, the 18-month project will seek to answer key questions around childminding practice, parental choice and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The study is being conducted across England with in-depth studies of five local authorities and will consist of direct observation with childminders, a random sample survey as well as interviews with both childminders and parents.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dorset Rainbow Project
Social and emotional growth is an essential part of child development. In 2005 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) launched the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme, which has been implemented in primary schools. The Rainbow project aims to simplify SEAL and incorporate it into other early years settings.
NCMA in Dorset received funding via the local authority to extend the Rainbow project to childminders. In January 2009 accredited childminders and those with a suitable level of practice were invited to attend meetings with the Dorset early years team, where they were introduced to the Rainbow project. The meetings were used to explain the importance of social and emotional growth in child development and to outline how the Rainbow resources could be utilised in a home-based setting. It was important for childminders to understand how to integrate Rainbow into their practice to enhance the service they currently offered.
The Rainbow resources are organised into seven themes aimed at 3 to 5-year-olds. These build up in complexity, starting with simple skills of listening, turn-taking and feeling comfortable contributing to the group. The later activities deal with recognising feelings, going for goals, fairness and resolving conflict.
Many of the childminders involved in the project are finding that it has enabled them to gain a better understanding of children’s personal and social development, and it has also helped to support the children in positive behaviour. “It has made a difference to what I do,” says childminder Julie Welch, from Christchurch. “I am more focused in my practice and it has had a big impact on the children.”
Ilona Cook, childminding coordinator says, “The enthusiasm and commitment of the childminders who are involved in this project has been huge. I have realised what a truly high level of practice they have, not only in implementing the resources, but in developing their own to suit the needs of each individual child.”
NCMA is assessing childminders on an ongoing basis to evaluate how effective they are at integrating Rainbow within their settings. Childminders are encouraged to discuss and work together so that good practice ideas are shared. It is hoped that the project will be extended so that more childminders will use the principles as an integral part of their practice. NCMA is also looking at ways that Rainbow can be incorporated into the Dorset Quality Improvement Scheme.
If you have any experience of how childminding practice has developed in your area, NCMA would like to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing whominds@*************

[miffy]

Thanks Pip

Miffy xx

[Trouble]

cheers pip