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register
Both parts
In Annex A: Links between the requirements of the Children Register and the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage
it states: There is no requirement for an early years childminder to be ‘present at all times’. So, for example, a childminder could leave early years children in the care of an assistant while he or she collects others from school, but couldn’t leave later years children.
If you would like to register your protest at this ruling then please sign the petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/EYFS-
Thank you to Lucy and Catherine for bringing this issue to our attention. Please do contact us if you have issues that you think other childminders should be made aware of.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 4th February 2009
Leaving Children with Registered Assistants
Are you aware that under the new legislation you can leave children within the Early Years age group with an assistant, but you can't leave older children?
Requirements for the Childcare Register: childminders and home childcarers
Age group: Birth–17 Published: August 2008
Welfare of the children being cared for
Req. Ref. Requirement On which Part of the Childcare
CR1.6
Childminders must ensure that they are present on
the premises at all times when childcare is being provided.
CR1.6
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/imagine
Imagine is the UK ’s brightest and best children’s literature festival. Stories, poetry, music and magic are at the heart of Imagine, a brilliant week of performances for children at Southbank Centre. Hear top children's authors read from their work and then meet them after the shows. Check out the
best in stand-
Brian Patten, James Campbell, Cathy Cassidy, Paul Kieve, Jan Blake
and many more! There are free performances, workshops and
exhibitions for children.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 24 January 2009
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 24 January 2009
New Webmaster
The BCMA website has a new Webmaster. Becky Hodgman, daughter of Web Writer Liz Hodgman has taken over the website from Grant Klopper, we would like to thank him for his work over the last few months. Becky is currently studying Media and is looking forward to developing the website and her IT skills. Please bear with us, while Becky gets to grips with the software.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 29th January 2009
EYFS Focus Group
On Monday 26th January 2009, 20 Bromley Childminders attened an EYFS Focus Group at Sundridge Park Manor. The evening was organised by the Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education (CUREE). They were doing research for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to find out how Childminders are implementing the new EYFS framework.
The evening was split into three parts, looking at:
Planning,
Observation and Assessment,
Implementation
Childminders, in small groups were able to share their practice, how they observe, assess and plan, what documentation they use to record it, what resources they have found useful etc.
They were asked about what training they had recieved prior to implementation and how effective it had been. Positive feedback was given on the BCMA websites EYFS pages and the EYFS 12 hour training course organised by Bromley Adult Education College and part funded by BCMA.
All Childminders that attended recieved a fee and paid expenses. Apologies to those who wished to attend and completed an invite but didn't get a place. We hope that this opportunity will be repeated again and we will prioritise those that missed out this time round.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 29th January 2009
New Policy
Thanks to the Tamworth Childminding Group for suggesting a policy on Laminate Flooring.
This policy will be added shortly to the Policies Page. If you have any ideas for policies, procedures or documentation then please do contact us.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 31st January 2009
Nutrition
A nutritionist will be attending the following ‘Drop In Groups’ to give advice and answer any questions you may have. There will also be an opportunity to attend a Nutrition Workshop at a later date.
Princess Plain Tuesday 24th February 9.30 – 11.30am
Elmers End Thursday 26th February 9.30 – 11.30am
Blenheim Friday 27th February 9.30 – 11.30 am
Burnt Ash Monday 2nd March 9.30 – 11.30 am
Please note all other ‘Drop In Groups’ will be visited by the Nutritionist over the Summer Term.
Early Years, Childcare and Access Service
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 3rd February 2009
EYFS Individual Planning
We have received requests from Childminders for a form to show how activities can be planned around themes and activities but showing the differentiation for each child, according to their interests and abilities.
We have developed the following document and also include a completed example for you to look at.
Planning around a theme for individual children Template
Planning around a theme for individual children Sample
If you have any other ideas for forms or documents that would help you and other Childminders to record your planning/practice please do let us know.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 3rd February 2009
Ofsted publish latest Electronic Newsletter
Ofsted have published Issue 10 of their Electronic newsletter
You can download the full issue here
http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/?cmd=issues.contents&issue=29
It contains an interesting article about a Blackpool Childminder, Amanda Dalton, who has received an Outstanding Grading.
Read article here http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/article/406
The 'A Day in the life' article will hopefully help other Childminders to understand what Inspectors are looking for in a routine under EYFS. We were a little concerned however with one statement
'Amanda’s working day often runs from 8am to 6pm. After breakfast it’s the morning
school run, and then she and the children may attend one of the local mother-
If you would like to subscribe to Ofsted’s Electronic Newsletter (highly recommended) then follow the link http://live.ofsted.gov.uk/newsletter/
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 3rd February 2009
Sharing good practice to drive improvement
Ofsted are currently consulting on how they share good practice with us. They have an online survery for practitioners to complete, it only takes a few minutes
http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/article/430 It is available between the following dates: Monday 2 February 2009 until Friday 27 February 2009
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 4th February 2009
Mark Making Matters: new National Strategies resource
This booklet supports the process of quality improvement among early-
Expert practitioners have provided material and support for the booklet,
which is based on real practice and sound research. The booklet is organised
around the four EYFS themes and in each section there are best-
case studies.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th February 2009
Social and Emotional Aspects of Development: Guidance for EYFS practitioners
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/132247?uc=force_uj
This booklet for practitioners is focused mainly on the younger children in the EYFS
(birth-
working with the older children.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th February 2009
Parental Responsibility
The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework Statutory Requirement ‘Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare’ states that childcare providers must obtain ‘information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility’.
We have developed the following form for Childminders to use. Alternatively you may like to add some questions for parents to complete on your contract or initial application form.
Thanks to Nick at http://www.freewebs.com/chasechildminding/index.htm for asking for this form to be developed. Remember if you need any documentation that you can't find on the web do get in touch.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th February 2009
Extreme Weather
Thanks to all the Childminders who have written in asking about a policy for snow and a risk assessment.
We have written a policy on Extreme Weather. We would recommend that Childminders adapt it to meet the needs of their own practice. For example if you live in a side road then your road may be inaccessible in heavy snow and you might need to make alternative arrangements for parents to bring their children to you or if you have a garden that is on a slope this might be too dangerous to use in icy weather for young children etc
We have also developed a risk assessment form for extreme weather. We have filled in a few boxes to get you started but again these will need to be amended to suit your own practice.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th February 2009
Do you have parental permission to allow minded children to use your computer and maybe access the internet?
We have developed a permission form for you to adapt or use, alternatively you could add a line to your general permission form that you ask parents to sign.
Thanks to Sarah for requesting this document.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th February 2009
Bromley Early Years have requested us to include the following two Safeguarding Documents on the website. This information is repeated in full on the Bromley Early Years Page if you are unable to open the links.
Important Information for childminders
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 11th February 2009
Internet Safety
Following on from a previous news item where we suggested a parental permission form for allowing children to use the computer and Internet we have come accross the idea of drawing up an internet agreement document with your older school aged children. We would suggest that you involve their parents in this and maybe encourage them to have one at home. Completing this would support Every Child Matter Outcomes, Keeping Children Safe and Making a Positive Contribution.
For examples of Internet agreements
http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/toolscontracts
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 11th February 2009
Message from the Ambulance Service
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers
stored in its memory. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill,
the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call.
Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the
contact person in case
of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.
The concept of
'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations.
As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do
is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during
emergency under
the name 'ICE' (In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by
a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always
mobile phones with patients but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore
thought that it would be a good idea if there was a
nationally recognised name for
this purpose.
In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital
Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number
you have stored as 'ICE'.
Childminders please also pass this onto your minded children's parents. It maybe that you as their childminder might be one of their ICE numbers.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 11th February 2009
NCMA Publish SEF Support document
NCMA publish a 17 page downloadable document to support childminders in developing
their self-
To download a copy visit the NCMA website www.ncma.org.uk
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 14th February 2009
Free Theatre Tickets for Children
Polka Theatre is one of the few venues in the UK exclusively dedicated to producing
and presenting high-
They are currently offering free tickets to anyone under the age of 26 as part of the Arts Council England’s scheme.
For more info
http://www.polkatheatre.com/artscouncil.asp
Churchill Theatre Bromley
Free shows include Sponge Bob and Lazy Town
http://www.ambassadortickets.com/whatson.aspx?EntaVenueid=CHU
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 21st February 2009
Childminder Networks to be Updated
The Government are working with the NCMA to produce a new style of childminding network. Click on the link for further information
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 21st February 2009
BCMA WEBSITE's 3rd Birthday
It's now 3 years since we launched the BCMA website. In the first year we had 10, 000 visitors, in year two just over 27,000. In year three we have had over 85,000 visitors! Thank you for all the lovely comments that we receive from you, either via email or the guestbook. Your feedback is very important to us.
The site continues to develop, this year there has been a significant number of pages added for the introduction of EYFS. We are currently working on developing a Male Childminder section of the website. If you are a male childminder working on your own, or working with your partner or another childminder we would love to hear from you. We are also planning on doing a full audit of the site. We are aware that there are areas that are now very out of date since the introduction of EYFS and that these need to be amended or removed. Please bear with us as we make these alterations over the coming weeks/months.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the website since it began in February 2006. Firstly Pat Myles who designed the website and was our webmaster until September 2008. We originally commissioned him to design us a 4 page website in January 2006! But his enthusiasm and commitment to the website enabled it to develop into the enormous site we have today. Grant Klopper who was our webmaster from September 2008 to January 2009 and Becky Hodgman our current webmaster. We would also like to say a huge thank you to our web writer Liz Hodgman. She continues to write and develop policies for us and we are very grateful for her continued input and expertise.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 1st March 2009
Greenwich Children’s Theatre Festival
Greenwich theatre is offering two weeks of free shows, workshops and events for children. To find out more visit http://www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=12&Itemid=40
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED: 5th March 2009
The Independent Safeguarding Authority
The Independent Safeguarding Authority have published information regarding registration with ISA by employees, self employed(e.g. childminders) and volunteers. This scheme does not replace applying for enhanced CRB clearances. See the link for further details.
The cost of applying to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme has been set at £64. This is comprised of a £28 fee to cover the ISA's costs and £36 to cover the CRB's costs as administrator of the applications.
The proposed timetable for the introduction is:
From October 2009
New job applicants will need to apply for ISA registration.
Employers and voluntary organisations working with children and vulnerable adults
cannot recruit workers who are not ISA-
From 2010
Existing employees and volunteers with no CRB check must apply for ISA registration.
Existing employees and volunteers with CRB checks will also need to apply for ISA registration, starting with staff whose CRB checks are the oldest.
http://www.isa-
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 8th March 2009
BCMA's webwriter and webmaster along with their family are doing a sponsored 5km run for Cherobyl Children's Project in April but dressed as Russian dolls! They want to raise £500 to bring children over from Belarus for a recuperative holiday, away from all the radiation cause by the Chernobyl explosion and for a once in a lifetime holiday. For more information
http://www.justgiving.com/RussianDolls
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 19th March 2009
NCMA News
Childminders are eligible to be nominated for the 2009 Children's Stars Awards. If you know anyone who you would like to nominate or to find out more please click on the following link.
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 27th March 2009
NCMA’s latest newsletter
To read the NCMA’s newsletter for March click on the following link http://ncma.oscura.net/newsletter2008-
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 4th April 2009
Good website
A new website with loads of information and free resources on health eating and exercise, recipes and the latest news and resources available. A great source of information, you do need to join, but it is quick and free. http://grub4life.org.uk/
NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED 4th April 2009
Latest news from Bromley Years
More information on training click here
