September 2000 Newsletter

Welcome to our September Newsletter. We hope you all enjoyed the summer holidays.

Toy Library

The toys are being lovingly cared for by Mary Johnson . Many of the toys promote equal opportunities and multicultural play. Its also a good place to get ideas if you are considering adding to your own toy collection. The Library will be open between 10-12am on the following dates: 18^th Sept, 5^th Oct, 16^th Oct, 2^nd Nov, 13^th Nov, 30^th Nov, 11^th Dec. Mary has coffee and biscuits for childminders and children visiting the toys. Please remember to return any you have borrowed so that other people can enjoy them too. If you are unable to attend contact Mary on 378895 to arrange for the toys collection.

Morning Meetings

‘Drop-ins’ are held at the Youth Centre, Church Road (off wing road), together with the ‘Mother and Toddler Group’, on Wednesday’s between 9.30- 11.30am during term time, for mothers, childminders and toddlers. The cost is 75p for the first child, and 25p for each additional child. This includes biscuits, drinks and some exciting activities including a sandpit, trampoline, slide, sit & rides and a tunnel.

Vacancy List

The Children’s Information Service (CIS) provides a single point of contact, for those looking for all types of childcare. Contact the CIS, on 01234 228 229, with details of your vacancies.

Another great place to advertise is the groups website. We have received over 120 hits from people looking for childcare. All you have to do is send £5 to the chair and tell her what you want on your personal page. You can have pictures of the garden and special toys you have or even one of yourself. This is not limited to those on the internet anyone can have a page. We will collect the telephone number of the person interested in your services and pass it on to you. We will update your vacancies as often as you like for no extra costs.

New Questionnaires

If you have not already returned your questionnaire please fill in the attached questionnaire and return to Tunja or one of the other committee members. If you would rather fill in an email version please send your email address to child.minder@virgin.net. Thank you to those that have already returned their questionnaire we are already beginning to get an idea of what further information and training you would like. The results of the questionnaire will be available as soon as we get some more back, so please nag your childminding friends and make sure they return theirs too.

Trick or Treat

The details of this event have not yet been finalised. The idea is that we will meet in the town at 09.30 in the Lake street car park on Monday 30^th October and visit locations such as the fire station to ‘trick or treat.’ Fancy dress is optional. We have not yet had confirmation from the venues we are proposing to visit, but if this sounds like something you would be interested in fill in the form and we will contact you soon with more information.

Chocoholics

A chance to indulge in the chocolate tasters and purchase some chocolate Christmas presents. Brochures and leaflets will be available for those who cannot make it on the night or wish to pre order for collection at the event. Commission will be paid to group funds. (Further information call Mary on 378895)

Christmas Party

This years Christmas Party will be held on the 5^th of December, at St Barnabas Church Hall. This year we will have a selection of party games, such as musical chairs and pass the parcel. Father Christmas will also be taking time out from toy making to visit the children and hand out some gifts. This year party food will be included in the cost. There will also be a raffle with great prizes including a fire blanket free advertising and books.

Adult Xmas Party

Nicky Coombes will be hosting this event a chance for childminders to gather together without hundreds of children. Some well deserved peace and quiet. Drinks and snacks will be included in the cost of the ticket, see the attached invitation.

New Standards

The new National Standards for Childminding and other day care settings in England are finally out. The DfEE's Consultation Pack contains 14 new proposed national standards, which would replace all the current different local authority guidelines. You can obtain the pack by telephoning 0845-602-2260, quoting Ref Dfee 142/2000. The good news is childminders in all areas must now attend a introductory course, ratio of children will also become uniform and 4yr olds in full-time education will count as ‘over five’. The bad news is the government ignored the NCMA’s advice and the standards would allow childminders to smoke in front of children, even new born babies, and smack children (with parents permission).

LBCMA Web Pages - www.lbcma.org.uk

The website has been running for four months now and we have had over 600 visitors. The site is also beginning to make money for the group through the sale of books. So far visitors have spend over £58 on books earning us approximately 10% on each book. We have a range of children’s books and reference books about childcare, NVQ’s and first aid. This is a great place to buy early Christmas presents, many of the books are cheaper than the high street sellers. If you have suggestions for books that you have found useful or fun to read please pass them on and we will add them to the list. We have also just started an affiliate program with etoys, at which you can buy toys and equipment. If you read your copy of ‘Who Minds’ you may have noticed some of the groups members drinking coffee with the mayor during the launch of the LBCMA website.

If you have an email address, please email it to Tunja at child.minder@virgin.net so we can contact you easily and more quickly with new information.

NCMA Chief Exec Visit

Chief Executive of the NCMA, Gill Haynes, visited Leighton Buzzard childminders on June 8th. The meeting took place at the Chairs house and childminders and children made the most of the sunny weather to play in the sandpit and on the slide. This visit was the first of several events, which the LBCMA took part in to support childminding Week.

Picnic in the Park

This event on the 21^st of June was a great success, we had a great turn out and many thanks to all who helped by manning the stall, selling raffle tickets, donating teddies or making food. All together we raised over £100. 21 teddies were adopted and now have new owners, we sold over 400 raffle tickets, and fed lots of parents and children. The lucky winner of the raffle received a wonderful cake and two runners up received lovely cuddly teddies. Thanks to all the support we will now be able to go ahead with a Christmas party.

Bedfordshire Childminding Association AGM

The meeting will be held on the 25^th of September at 7.30pm. Its being held at the NCMA office, 55 Goldington Road, Bedford. All those turning up will receive a Goody Bag! And refreshments. Come along and make a difference. There should be lots of other childminders attending so it is a great opportunity to swap information and ideas too, as well as see how a big group like this works.

British Red Cross First Aid for Childcarer's

The LBCMA organised course started on May 16^th. It was fully booked. The 12 people attending the course are enjoyed the experience as well as learning important methods to deal with accidents and emergencies.

Diary Dates

Sept 25^th 7.30pm Beds AGM 55 Goldington Rd, Bedford
Oct 14^th 9.30am - 1.00pm Early Numeracy Without Worksheets. Tel: 01582604578 to book
Oct 24^th 8.pm Chocoholics meet Oct 30^th 9.30am - 11.30am Trick or Treat
Dec 2^nd 8.00pm till late Adult Christmas Party.
Dec 5^th 11.00am - 1.00pm Childrens Christmas Party

Contact Tunja at 01525 371595 or 451 Bideford Green, Linslade, LU7 7TZ