January/March 2003 NEWSLETTER
Welcome to our childminding members and a special welcome to those who are newly registered. We hope you enjoyed Christmas. That time of the year, the AGM season is here again and details of our AGM, are included in your news letter. We hope to meet many of you at this enjoyable event.
Ofsted Update
Ofsted has finished its transitional inspections in this area. If you have not been inspected or received a date for inspection, then you should contact them on 01279-693504.
During your next inspection as well as ensuring you are complying with the National Standards Ofsted will be grading your childminding provision. Quality grading on three levels will be used, "unsatisfactory", "satisfactory" and "good".
Recent training, attendance at support groups and groups that allow children to socialise in larger numbers are among the factors that will move a childminder from "satisfactory" to "good". Giving you the edge when advertising for customers and lengthening the time between inspections.
Ofsted is moving towards a two year inspection cycle for childminders, particularly those with a "good" grading. Priority for inspections will be given to newly registered childminders. A more frequent cycle will also be used where there have been complaints or concerns. Please note that unannounced visits will continue, particularly to those with complaints, concerns or needing improvement.
Web Site Update - www.lbcma.org.uk
Our group web site is going from strength to strength. If you'd like to advertise on the site (cost £10) please let us know. In 2002 the site was viewed by an average of 10,000 people each month. In January we were the web site of the month on the under fives site.
Thank you to those who brought books, CD's etc. through our Amazon partnership. Together with our other visitors you have raised £83.41 during the past year towards group running expenses. Our site is providing a wide variety of resources for childminders, parents, trainees, tutors, nursery nurses and foundation stage teachers. We receive many compliments, many of which are available on the site in the guest book if you would like to view them. You might also like to take a look at our Easter Activities Ideas and other up coming festivals like Holi and Passover.
If you don't have web access and would like a copy of articles mentioned, please contact us. They will be sent with your next news letter, or you may collect them at one of our meetings.
Vacancies and Childminder Recruitment
If you have vacancies please let the CIS know on 01234-228229 and Tunja your LBCMA vacancy coordinator phone number at the bottom of your news letter if you would like your phone number provided to prospective customers. The CIS believe there are some areas lacking in childminders and are recruiting locally. Areas with a shortage are reputedly Linslade, Heath and Reach, Beaudesert and Plantation. There are currently twenty five childminders in Linslade, so if you have a vacancy let the CIS know and check they have Linslade in your address, remember they have no local knowledge of which street is in what area and many of you show up in their data base as Leighton Buzzard. The NCMA are due to start an advertising campaign across Bedfordshire on the benefits of using a childminder which should prove to be very useful to childminders.
First Aid Training
Since the Red Cross have raised their fees, first aid training locally is now being run by MAJA. Their course content includes: coping in an emergency, getting help, dealing with an unconscious casualty, resuscitation procedures for baby and child, resuscitation for adults, dealing with bleeding and shock, treating fractures, soft tissue injuries, burns, scalds, electrocution, chocking and poisoning, recognising minor illness, prevention of accidents, first aid kits, reporting injuries and record keeping.
Under OFSTED, first aid training is now mandatory for all childminders and it is your responsibility to ensure your certification is up to date. Certificates are only valid for three years. If you would like to update yours, for further details or to enrol please call 01525 375769 or call in to the office in person (Adult Education Office, Vandyke Upper School, Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard).
Two course dates are currently available, both to be run at Cedars Upper school, Mentmore Road, Linslade. The tutor will be Jenny Tibbett. Each course lasts for twelve hours and runs over five sessions between 7-9.30pm. The course has been approved as being suitable by OFSTED. Start dates are 26th February and 30th April.(excludes half term week). Morning Gatherings
These are held every Wednesday during term time between 9.30-11.30am at the Youth Centre, Church Road, Linslade (off Wing Road), together with the ‘Mother and Toddler Group'. Providing an opportunity for childminders to converse with adults and swap information, 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. Attendance may also influence OFSTED when they start to grade your childcare practice.
Coffee Morning
Come and meet some of your fellow childminders over coffee or tea on 31st March between 9.30 and 11.30am at email for address. A chance to socialise while the children play with new friends. Swap vacancies, discuss childminding problems, child or parental behaviour, contracts, fees, the weather or what ever. This venue is easily accessible from all areas of the town and surrounding villages and is walking distance from the Planets estate and Meadow Way. Please phone Heather on 758979 if you would like directions.
Messy Morning
To be held April 2nd at the Youth centre, Church Road, 9.30am - 11.30am, kindly hosted by the Mother and Toddle group. There will be a wide variety of art and craft activities on offer and childminders, their own children and their minded children plus any interested parents will be welcome. Standard mother and toddler fee (£1 for a childminder and one child plus 25pence for each additional child) will apply to cover insurance and refreshments. There is no charge to cover materials for this event or treats, but a raffle will be used to recover these costs, please buy some tickets when you attend this popular and fun event.
Party and AGM
Come and socialise and meet your fellow childminders at this event, alcohol, soft drinks, nibbles, music and conversation will be the main attraction. A chance to swap vacancies, you could find a customer, a fellow student, a back up minder for those days you are under the weather or need a child free appointment. This is an opportunity to suggest events and happenings, training, and exchange ‘niggles'. During the evening a short AGM will be held. Venue for this event is email for address, Linslade. Date 25th March at 8.00pm. For directions or to present apologies call 378895.
Tax and National Insurance
There are a range of new tax benefits coming into force in April which will affect childminders. In order to provide you with the best information on how this will affect you personably the tax office will be providing two speakers to explain the new children's tax credit and the childcare element. They will also be explaining the benefits provided by Home Responsibilities contributions, class 2 national insurance contributions and small earnings exceptions. Other topics will include keeping business records, turnover and expenses (including what you can claim for) and how to complete that nasty self assessment tax return. There will also be a question and answers session. This free training is to be provided from 10.00am on May 10th at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick by the Bedfordshire Childminding Association. Note during the coffee break a short AGM will be held. Watch out for further details and invitation.
Child Protection Training
Child protection training organised by the LBCMA will be held on May the 19th from 7.00 -9.00pm at the Leighton Buzzard Fire Station. Speaker will be Sally Stocker a team leader in the Child protection field. This training session is open to all childminders, those in the process of registration as childminders and parents of childminded children. Certificates of attendance will be available for inclusion in your childminding portfolio and to show OFSTED inspectors and prospective customers. Topics to be covered include procedures, record keeping, observations, signs and symptoms. There will also be time for questions and answers and further discussions. There will be no charge for this event but a raffle will be held to fund training events.
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.
- March 25th Party and AGM 8.00pm
- March 31st Coffee Morning 9.30 - 11.30am
- April 2nd Messy Morning 9.30 - 11.30am Youth Centre, Church Road.
- May 10th Childminding "Tax Avoidance Training" & Bedfordshire's CMA AGM 10.00am Rufus Centre, Flitwick
- May 19th Child Protection Training 7.00-9.00pm Leighton Buzzard Fire Station
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.
