The
Challenge
There
is a shortage of childcare places in Gloucestershire which has
a knock-on effect on employment prospects, low income, cultural
issues and literacy skills.
Developing
the idea
The
Gloucestershire Childminding Association, through local childminding
networks, offers on-going training and support to people who
want to become childminders.
It
started when a group of childminders met and decided to contact
others in the county. Since then the Association has gone from
strength to strength, becoming a key member of the County's
Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, and spearheading
accessible nationally-recognised training support for childminders
throughout Gloucestershire.
 |
| There
is great demand for quality childcare |
Making
it happen
As
part of the Government's strategy on childcare, there is funding
to support and encourage more people to become childminders,
particularly people who are prepared to train in caring for
children with disabilities.
The
Gloucestershire Childminding Association's local childminding
networks meet in the community and offer support for their members,
helping them to help each other, deciding how to spend funds
to buy shared equipment.
They
are able to access the compulsory quality training to become
registered childminders and improve the services they can offer.
There are also several local associations with toy libraries
for local people to source play equipment in Cheltenham, Gloucester
City, the Forest and Cirencester.
Membership
of the local association also gives access to cheaper insurance,
and other benefits. A
new Childminding Association in the Forest of Dean offers local
support and a drop in centre. The association has, for example,
bought double and triple buggies for members to use. There are
now about 70 childminders in this area of the county.
Support
for childminders
The
Gloucestershire Childminding Association training team helps
childminders develop their own literacy skills so they can write
assignments for the Development of Childminding Practice and
Extending Childminding Practice qualifications.
The
training also offers personal development, generally broadening
the knowledge of the childminders, helping to make them better
at their jobs and thereby offering a quality service to children
and parents.
Childminding
network in inner city Gloucester
Training
has been offered to Asian Muslim women and has been adapted
to work within a different cultural environment. Whilst it was
important to take on board a whole range of issues to do with
culture and religion, the rules and regulations covering hygiene,
child development and equal treatment of girls and boys were
not compromised. Another project for the Chinese community is
planned.
Within
a year, at least 20 new small childminding businesses in areas
of low income and relative isolation will have been launched,
with Asian and Chinese women being able to offer a professional
childminding service within their ethnic communities.
 |
| More
working mothers means greater demand for childcare |
The
total number of childminders at present remains fairly static
for a range of reasons, not least increased competition from
nurseries and playgroups. But Shirley Crandon from the EYDCP
Childminding Unit says: "It is vital that parents have a full
choice of childcare to meet the individual needs of their children.
"Childminders
can offer a very different, more individual sort of care compared
to a nursery and can be the best choice for some children. It
is therefore essential that anyone who wants to be a childminder
receives the very best training and support they can get."
Contact:
Shirley Crandon, EYDCP Childminding Unit 01452 425436.
Who can help?
Key
organisations that could offer help and support in the development
of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts
Directory. Further information on funding sources is
available from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development
Unit on 01452 425702.
Funding
sources
|
Other useful contacts
|
-
Gloucestershire
County Council - Early Years Development Childcare
Partnership
-
National
Lottery Funding Bodies
-
Single
Regeneration Budget
-
Learning
and Skills Council
|
-
Business
Link Gloucestershire
- Colleges
District
councils
- Families'
and Children's Information Service
- Gloucestershire
County Council - Adult Continuing Education & Training
service
- Parent
and Teacher Associations
- Pre-school
Learning Alliance
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