HOME-BASED CHILDCARERS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is a membership organisation and national charity that promotes quality home-based childcare for the benefit of children, families and communities. It already speaks on behalf of the 75,000 registered childminders in England and Wales and, now with a new membership package for nannies and other home-based child carers, increasingly for home-based childcare in England and Wales. NCMA has been supporting the development of quality home-based childcare and promoting its benefits since 1977.

Registered Childminders and other home-based child carers, such as nannies have always strived to provide professional, caring childcare services. However, many parents do not realise that there are training and inspection regulations for childminders, just as there are for nursery workers.

All childminders must by law, be registered with Ofsted if they care for children under the age of 8 years and be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), as must everyone over 16 who lives in the childminder’s home. Childminders who care for children over 8 years of age can opt to join the Childcare Approval Scheme, which means they voluntarily undergo a CRB check. The Childcare Approval Scheme, which is separate from Ofsted, applies only to child carers living in England. All registered childminders take introductory and first-aid training. All Ofsted registered childminders should have public liability insurance, a health check and a valid first-aid certificate for people who work with children. Being a registered childcare professional means any parent using their childcare service can claim Tax Credits to support the costs of childcare, if they are eligible.

Childminders are a professional part of the Childcare Workforce

NCMA childminders are committed to their continuing professional development. Three quarters of all childminders have undertaken 16 days or more training. Over 40% have a relevant professional qualification, such as an NVQ Level 3 Diploma. Childminders can be part of Quality Assured Children Come First Networks or have their own Quality First Accreditation. These childminders are committed to training to a level 3 qualification and can reassure parents that the services they provide are of the highest quality.

In order to help this process the NCMA has revised and updated its specialist training course for childminders, in partnership with the Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE). Now called the ‘Diploma in Home-based Childcare’, the qualification is suitable for any home-based childcare (nanny, childminder) and is a Level 3 qualification. It is taught via five Modules making it very accessible to learners. As each module is completed, a stepping stone is reached and a certificate will be issued. When all are completed, the Level 3 qualification is awarded.

Childminders are supported with their training through Quality Assured Children Come First Networks and support childminding workers. There are over 256 Children Come First Childminding Networks across the country, with more and more becoming accredited all the time.

Some childminders who are on Children Come First Networks are ‘accredited’ to provide Early Years Education and can be an option for parents who prefer their child to be cared for in a home environment or as part of a mixture of childcare. Childminders who are ‘accredited’ to provide early years education can access Nursery Education Grant funding to provide the 12 hours of free nursery education a week for three and four year olds.

Help for parents with childcare costs

Registered and Approved Childminders allow parents to use the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, making childcare more affordable for families. If a childminder cares for a child aged seven or under for more than two hours a day for reward, they must by law, be registered and inspected by Ofsted. The costs of childminding vary widely, depending on many differing factors. Some childminders, for example, include the cost of nappies, food and taking children on outings as an inclusive part of the service they charge for. Charges also change depending on local factors such as demand for childcare, average costs among NCMA members vary from £3.06 per hour to £5.18 per hour.

Childminders promote a healthy way of life

Childminders, as part of the Ofsted standards must agree to promote healthy lifestyles and offer healthy choices for children’s meals. To highlight this, NCMA has themed it’s National Childminding Week, ‘Food, Fitness and Fun’. Childminders have been busy organising fun activities and picnics with a focus on active and healthy lifestyles between 17 and 24 June. This is part of a wider awareness raising month, National Sure Start Month, which aims to increase awareness of and celebrate early years and childcare services.

Finding a local childminder

Your local Children’s Information Service will list available childcare in your area. Visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk or call 0800 096 0296. NCMA produces a free booklet "Choosing a Home-based Child carer", which provides all the information needed when choosing a suitable child carer for your family. This is available to download from the NCMA website: www.ncma.org.uk or by calling our free information line on 0800 169 4486.

Visit the National Sure Start Month website to find out about events happening in your area throughout the month of June. www.nationalsurestartmonth.com

© NCMA, June 2006

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I thought it was a really useful guide that tells you all you need to know about choosing between a childminder or a nanny

Louise