June 2002 Newsletter

Welcome to our June newsletter. We hope you have all enjoyed the activities over the last few months and that we'll be seeing you again soon.

Fire Safety Training

This training was well attended, we had representatives from Dunstable and Aylesbury as well as lot of LB members. Many other areas are now organising training based from this. Training included how to work out, write and practice your emergency escape plan, choosing a fire alarm, how to test your Carbon Monoxide detector is really working, how to use your compulsory fire blanket, teaching children about fire safety etc. If you attended and haven't collected your certificate yet, contact Tunja to arrange a convenient time.

First Aid Training

For details of current First Aid courses, phone the Red Cross on 01234 - 330120.

Web Site Update - www.lbcma.org.uk

We're up to 6700 visitors now! The site has raised over £30 so far this year by selling over 50 books through association with Amazon.co.uk. If you are planning to buy books we have a great selection of childcare, NVQ, equal opportunities books, and children's books. Latest articles on our web site include, food safety information, articles and links for safety in the home and how to get ESF funding.

If you don't have web access and would like a copy of articles from the web site, please contact us. They will be sent with your next news letter, or you may collect them at one of our meetings.

Morning Chat

These are held every Wednesday during term time between 9.30-11.30am at the Youth Centre, Church Road (off Wing Road), together with the 'Mother and Toddler Group'. Providing an opportunity for carers to talk, for children to play with a different range of toys and to socialise with other children. What many adults call 'just play' is essential self-directed exploration and invention. This experimentation by the child contributes to their intellectual, social, emotional and creative development.

Picnic in the Park

Date for your diary is June 19th, (at Parsons Close park near Pulfords school). Please note this event falls in the National Childminding Week, and we will be celebrating 25 years of NCMA childminding. Since stall holders were in short supply we have decided to have a group picnic and run a separate raffle for fund raising during the summer months. The picnic will coincide with the Pre School Learning Alliance event so there will be lots of free activities for the children. We will be picnicking between 11.00am and 1.00pm. Come and join us, don't forget your picnic. You will be able to meet other childminders, update your customer requirements, collect Fire Training certificates and have fun. See you in the park.

Garden Party with Dough, Bubbles and Foot Painting

To be held on Thursday 18^th July email for address, Linslade, from 10.30 am - 12.00 noon. Please note this event will be postponed if the weather is inclement. Children will be able to play with and experience a variety of textured and coloured dough, produce bubbles of varying sizes and join in the hand and foot painting session. Children should be accompanied by their childminder or parent. There will be a nominal charge of £1 for each child to cover material costs, (any profits will go towards the Xmas party). Please email to ask for directions, confirm your attendance or check on the weather prospects. Please note it will be helpful for providing sufficient materials if we have an idea of the number of children we are expecting.

££££ Raffle ££££

We are holding a group raffle to raise money for the children's Christmas party, and we need your help. Obviously the more tickets you sell or buy the more fun and 'goodies' the children enjoy. Prizes donated so far include Belgium chocolates, luxury children's puzzle, booze etc. We have enclosed tickets with your news letter. These are priced at 20pence each or 5 for £1. please sell or buy some tickets and return the money and stubs to Tunja address below as you sell them or by September6th.The children are depending on you!

Vacancies?

Inquirers for childminders have been increasing recently and may increase further with the release of Penelope Leach's research information later this month which apparently proves we provide the best care and best value for money. If you have a vacancies don't forget to inform the CIS and Tunja. It is also helpful if you inform us when spaces are filled.

Parents Exit Poll

One of the most commonly cited reasons for removing a child from a childminder and placing it at a nursery, play group or early into reception classes is cited as because they think the child will have a chance to mix with larger groups of children and make new friends. Educational advantages are now coming further down their list of reasons. Joining in with group activities arranged for the children may help slow the flow. Morning chat, dough, bubbles and foot painting and picnic in the park are all opportunities for the children to mix, make friends and enjoy new learning experiences.

NCMA Special Offer

The NCMA are offering a special membership package for childminders who belong to a group. The package includes:

Handbook containing essential childminding information, from tax breaks to how to negotiate a contract
Who minds? A quarterly magazine containing childminding news and views
Discounted rates on NCMA publications and access to exclusive members products
Access to NCMA's legal and insurance lines, NCMA'S free phone help line and OFSTED helplines
Public liability insurance indemnity cover of £5 million and cover of £375 for childminded children's property (includes toys and pushchairs)
Legal defence in the case of: your prosecution in a criminal court, civil action against you, contract disputes and childminder deregistration
Free legal representation on matters arising from normal childminding duties

All this for just £45 (a saving of £17.50 on standard individual joining price) Membership and insurance will start on the date applications are received and will be for twelve months.

Note: this offer is only available to LBCMA members who have not already joined the NCMA or whose membership has lapsed. The offer will be available until 31^st March 2003. Please contact Tunja for more details.

Messy Morning

This proved very popular and much 'mess' was made. Children enjoyed dough activities, painting, crafts and games, and each child took home a large Easter egg in addition to their finished handy work. Thanks go to Nicky for organizing and hosting this enjoyable event.

Meeting the Ranger

Ten children enjoyed the outing. The rangers provided an informative tour showing the children a wide variety of plants and animals. We also went on a troll hunt. The children enjoyed themselves so much the would like to go again, would you like to join us?

Diary Dates

These are the dates of events and activities. It is suggested that you transfer them to your diary while they are fresh in your mind and before this news letter is mislaid.

June 19^th Picnic in the Park. 11.00am -1.00pm Parsons Close
July 18^th Dough, Bubbles and Foot Painting Coniston Road 10.30am - 12.00 noon
August No activities, enjoy your holidays!

Contact Tunja child.minder@virgin.net You can also contact Tunja if you need help getting to an event, or have suggested activities you would like to participate in.