March 2000 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our March 2000 Newsletter. We hope that you all enjoyed the Christmas and Millennium festivities.

As I hope you will have heard, the AGM was held on the 18^th January and a 'new' Chairperson and Treasurer, Tunja Stone and Heather Taylor, were elected. Unfortunately, there were insufficient volunteers for election to the Committee and so another meeting, an EGM, and ballot must be arranged. Without the minimum committee defined in our constitution we are not 'legal' and the group cannot undertake any action on your behalf.

A calling notice for the EGM accompanies this newsletter. Offers of any services you feel capable of will be appreciated. If you would like to know more about the working of the Group and the Committee, please feel free to call me.

Toy Library

The Toy Library will shortly move to a new home, courtesy of Mary Johnson. Toys are available on loan to LBCMA members only. Toys include those promoting equal opportunities and multicultural play. The Library will be open between 10-12am on: Monday 20^th March, Thursday 6^th April, Thursday 4^th April, Monday 15^th May

Morning Meetings

These 'drop-ins' are held, in conjunction with the 'Mother and Toddler Group', on Wednesday's between 9.30- 11.30am for mothers, childminders and toddlers. The cost is 75p for the first child, and 25p for each additional child. The cost includes coffee, drinks and biscuits. It is held at Church Road Youth Centre, Church Road (off wing road).

Vacancy List

As a result of a Government initiative there is now a single point of contact, the Children's Information Service (CIS), for those looking for all types of childcare. This national scheme has replaced the local vacancy list that was operated by the group. Please contact the CIS, on 01234 228 229, with details of your vacancies.

If you have access to the Internet, the CIS website is at www.childcarelink.co.uk

To see details of childcare within Bedfordshire either select via the menus on the site, or add /Bedfordshire to the website name. This site includes details of a number of the local childminders with vacancies. Anyone that does not have access to the Internet but would be interested in looking at the site is welcome to come and see, contact Tunja for your free introduction to the CIS website.

Feedback from Questionnaires

First may we thank all of you who took the time to complete and return the questionnaire. The number of replies took longer to assimilate than expected, hence the delay in reporting back. It is pleasing that so many of you wish to receive the news letter. However, if you were one of those who asked not to receive it, we are sorry - give me a ring and I will delete you from the distribution list.

LBCMA Web Page

The LBCMA are now on-line. Our new web page is located at www.lbcma.org.uk. The site is aimed at promoting the professionalism of registered childminders within the LBCMA and nationwide. We hope to link the site with well-known organizations such as the CIS and NCMA. The site will also be linked to search engines, so people looking at childcare generally can find it too. The site was designed for us by Tamsin Stone.

If you have any comments about childminding we could add to the page please send them to Tunja Stone or email her at child.minder@virgin.net. If you have an email address, please email it to Tunja so we can contact you easily with new information.

Easter Party

Musical Activities for the children, make and play your own instruments, make a hat for the Easter Bonnet Parade, meet the Easter Bunny, plus other fun activities. Please support this event, the hall needs to be paid for and it will be a chance to raise the profile of childminding locally. Please send your invitation back with numbers and money to help the Easter Bunny with his shopping. The party will be held at the Church Road Youth Centre, in Linslade on the 17^th April between 2pm ad 4pm.

May Speaker

We have invited a speaker from the Tax Office to talk to us about Working Tax Credit, Self Assessment Claimable Allowances and other factors related to childminders and self employment, and to answer any questions you may have. There will also be a raffle held during this event with some very exciting prizes. This event on the 15^th of May, will be held at the Youth Centre, Church Rd, Linslade, starting at 8pm. The group is having to pay for this venue, so please show your appreciation with a large turn out.

Communicable Diseases

The Dept of Health and the Dept of Education have issued joint guidance on dealing with communicable diseases and minimizing the risk of infection in Schools and Early Years Settings (this includes childminders). Guidance is in the form of a poster and pocket companion. These publications are available free! from ; Dept of Health, PO Box 410, Wetherby, LS 23 7LN (or Fax 01937-845381). Quote ref G1CP for the poster, or G1CC for the pocket companion book.

Early Learning Goals

An EYDP taster session on the Early Learning Goals and how they differ from the Desirable Learning Outcomes and the implications for early years settings will be held on 28th March at Greenleas Lower School, Derwent Road, Linslade. To book a place phone Julie Comber on 01234 228095.

A more in depth view of the early learning goals as 6_8 sessions/workshops is offered by the Pre-School Learning Alliance. Childminders are welcome to attend. For more information contact Heather Sanderson, Pre_School Development Worker on 01525 379661.

British Red Cross First Aid for Childcarer's

This is a certificated course, run over six evening, costing in the region of £25.

Topics include: Basic first aid, Resuscitation, Childhood diseases, Managing accidents.

These courses are very popular, the course beginning in May is fully booked. A second course may held in the autumn term. For details, phone the Adult Education Office, Vandyke Community College. Tel 01525 375769.

Once we have a constitutional committee, I will propose that the possibility of hosting our own Red Cross, on an evening convenient to childminders, be investigated. The cost would be in the region of £34, though it is possible that sponsorship can be found to reduce this. If you would be interested in a LBCMA Red Cross Course for Childcarers please inform Tunja, so that the Committee can judge the level of interest.

Observation and Record Keeping

This is a course being arranged by the Pre-School development worker in which childminders are invited to participate. The course will consist of either 3 x 2½ hour sessions or 2 x 3 hour sessions and will cost £26.25. The date and venue are yet to be arranged. For further details contact Heather Sandison, Pre-School development worker 01525 379661.

Diary Dates

March 30^th EGM to be held at Maureen Webbers, Linslade.
April 11^th Childminders evening out: Venue Waterborne Bar (by Waitrose).
April 17^th Children’s Easter Party, 2-4 pm.
May 15^th Speaker at Linslade Youth Centre, Church Rd, Linslade. Starting at 8pm. (Tax Man!)

Meetings are to be held at a variety of venues, normally starting at 8:30pm unless specified.