September 2002 Newsletter
Welcome to our September newsletter. Yes, we know its October, we're a bit late this quarter!
First Aid Training
Phone the Red Cross HQ directly on 01234 - 330120 and they will be able to advise you of dates and venues of currently available First Aid courses.
Web Site Update - www.lbcma.org.uk
We earned over £25 this quarter selling books. Thank's to all those who brought something. If you are doing your Christmas shopping please click through our site to get to Amazon, you will get the same low prices and the group will receive commission payments for the group.
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'. The group provides an opportunity for carers to talk, for children to play with a different range of toys and to socialise with other children. Remember what many adults call ‘just play' is essential self-directed exploration and invention. The opportunity for experimentation at these meetings, by the child, will be contributing to their intellectual, social, emotional and creative development.
Christmas Party
The date for this years Christmas party will be Friday 6th December. Father Christmas will be visiting with lots of loverly presents so don't forget to fill in your booking form accompanying this news letter, so he knows how many gifts his elves should make.
Food is included in the cost as we will be packing lunches for each child. If you'd like to volunteer to help make lunches special please contact us, number overleaf.
There will be a bouncy castle as well as lots of other fun and games at Saint Barnabas church hall between 11.00 and 13.00.
££££ Raffle ££££
We'll be drawing the raffle at the Christmas party. We've already had tickets back from nine childminders. So if you're one of the forty childminders who still have some to return, please send the money and stubs to Tunja, address below. Prizes donated so far include Belgium chocolates, luxury children's puzzle, booze, makeup etc. Tickets are priced at 20pence each or 5 for £1 if you need more just let us know.
Fund Raising
The raffle is our main fund raising activity. Please support your group by returning sold ticket stubs and money. Funding will be used to subsidises the children's Christmas party, produce your news letter and to provide training as per the popular Fire training held earlier this year. Suggestions received for the next training opportunity include child protection and behaviour management.
Vacancies?
Don't forget to keep us up to date with your vacancies. The CIS has recently decided to include qualification details with the information they provide on childminders so phone and update your information on 01234 228229. You may also like to update your vacancies with Tunja.
NCMA East Regional Office
Staff from our nearest NCMA regional office in Bedford are currently in temporary accommodation. Mail can be sent to their central PO box address for distribution. Address is NCMA, PO Box 1011, Bedford, Beds, MK41 OWX. Phone contact 01234-211921 will put you in secretarial contact where messages can be relayed.
OFSTED Update on Assistants
This new information replaces the Guidance to Standard 1: Suitable person which says assistants "cannot be left in sole charge of the children". If the following information is on your certificate of registration: Assistants will be covered by the NCMA public liability insurance and will not have to take out separate cover.
‘Childminding assistants who have been checked may, in some circumstances, be left in sole charge of minded children. This must be following discussion with an OFSTED inspector and supported by a written agreement between registered childminders and parents.'
In circumstances where childminders intent to use an assistant this will be shown as a condition of registration on the certificate.
Unchecked voluntary help may only be used in an emergency. Registered childminders should keep a record of any unchecked voluntary help used in an emergency and the information must be shared with the parents.
Assistants and Minimum Wage
If you employ an assistant the minimum wage will apply. From October 1st the new rates were as follows.
£4.20 an hour for assistants aged 22 years and over. £3.60 an hour for assistants aged 18 to 21 years of age.
Save Money on NCMA Fees
If you would like to save £5 on your NCMA membership fees and insurance when you next renew, contact Sandie Hughes, Membership Services Department, NCMA 8, Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9EY and request a transfer to your local membership group. 507G is the group number to quote. Once notified, when your renewal date comes up you will automatically be charged the reduced amount.
New Tax Credits
From April 2003 the Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit will be replacing Working Families Tax credit, Disabled Persons Tax credit, children Tax Credit, child elements of income support and job seekers allowance. If you are currently using tax credits you will be sent forms from the Inland Revenue to enable you to transfer to the new system.
Many childminders will be able to claim the new tax credits. To see if you are eligible you can take an online test at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits or call the tax credits helpline on 08453003900.
Childcare allowance, still of up to 70% of the cost, is part of the Working tax credit. Childminders will no longer be required to fill in the forms for customers receiving this benefit. Parents will fill in your details and average weekly charges. They must include your phone number, address, OFSTED registration number.
Parents must inform the Inland revenue if they stop paying for childcare or if the costs change by more than £10 for more than four weeks in a row. The Inland Revenue are also planning to contact some providers by phone to check details of claims made.
Childminding - The Secrets of Success
This book contains practical suggestions on many different aspects of childminding. It will be useful whether you are preparing for registration or an experienced childminder. The book also offers valuable support for childcare qualifications from the Introducing Childminding Practice to NVQ3 Childcare and Education and the Certificate in Childminding Practice.
The book to be published in November has been produced by childminders for childminders and will therefore be more relevant than many previously produced childminding books. It will retail at £11.99. For more details, or to order, see www.childminding-success.co.uk or phone Tunja.
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 gets mislaid.
- November 23rd - 24th NCMA annual conference and AGM
- December 6th 11.00 - 13.00 Children's Christmas party and raffle drawn.
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.
