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WHAT'S ON
OFFER &
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT
One of the hardest and biggest decisions
we make as parents is choosing the best education for our
child, including pre-school education. Some critics suggest
that our culture imposes structured learning too early, and
there is not enough emphasis on learning through free play
for our youngsters.
Childminders are registered professional
day carers who are self employed and work from their own home.
This provides care and education for other peoples' children
in a warm and friendly family environment.
Childminders can be registered for no
more than six children, including their own, at any one time.
The number of children are split into age ranges of: three
under 5's and three under 8 year olds.
The advantages of a childminder are flexibility,
reliability, affordability, often one to one care in a safe
and a homely environment. Childminders are able to look after
only a small group of children, their daily routine is very
adaptable to cater for individual needs, for example sleep
patterns and dietary requirements. There can also be greater
flexibility on the hours of care, and there is usually no
restriction on a minimum amount of sessions.
Under 'The Childrens Act 1989' childminders
have to be registered. The registration process offers a wide
range of rigorous policies including police checks on the
applicant, as well as health checks, social services checks,
and safety inspection of the home and the applicant is also
interviewed.
With effect from 1 September 2001, OFSTED
have taken over the registration and inspection duties from
the local authority. The new inspections will follow the National
Standards for Registration that are being developed by the
Department of Education and Employment (DfEE). This is good
news for both the childminders and the parents alike and it
also ensures that both levels of caring and safety standards
are maintained.
There are courses available to the childminder
that lead to qualifications, for example, Introducing Childminding
Practice (ICP) and
the Certificate in Childminding Practice (CCP). They aim to
develop the knowledge and skills for childminding practices.
A childminder also offers the youngsters
the opportunity to learn from everyday activities, like shop-ping
trips, school runs, family mealtimes, and visits to the park.
These activities offer the child valuable life skills that
they may not acquire so readily in a nursery.
Playing is a vital role in the learning
and development of our children. Childminders offer a wide
range of toys, books, games and outdoor play to stimulate
their minds. Free play is important for children to learn
and explore on their own. However, structured play is also
educational and offers good stimulation for a young mind.
Childminders are also able to incorporate structured play
topics, for example, 'themed weeks'. This might consist of
learning about animals one week, transport the next week and
so on. Other opportunities for structured play may include
music and singing or maybe arts and crafts.
Childminders keep a record for parents
of what their child has enjoyed doing during the day and which
topics in particular they have found interesting. It is important
for childminders to work with the parents - allowing good
communication and feed-back is vital to ensure the best teaching
and care is being offered to each child.
A good childminder should offer a structured
itinerary for your child including learning topics and through
play. Each week there should be a daily timetable of activities
which includes lots of free play, messy play and outdoor play
too!
You can obtain further info: regarding
childminding from the NCMA (National Childminding Association),
8 Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent. BR2 9EY.
Telephone: 020 8464 6164 Web: www.ncma.org.uk
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