Home » Childcare And Parenting

Childcare and Parenting

Daycare Trust, the national childcare campaign, have welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement that the Government are to extend the free childcare entitlement currently available for 3 and 4 year old children to 2 year olds.

Speaking at the Labour Party's Annual Conference in Manchester, Daycare Trust joint Chief Executive Emma Knights said: "This announcement is a welcome staging post on the road to free childcare for all, but it must be put in place as soon as possible.

"Childcare is critical to fighting child poverty, allowing parents to return to work whilst raising the educational outcomes of children from deprived backgrounds.

"Quality childcare has huge long term benefits for society as a whole, increasing educational achievement, cutting crime and creating a more stable and harmonious society.

"Daycare Trust call on all political parties to support this commitment and speak out in favour of free childcare for all families."

NCMA research highlights childminders’ commitment to training and development

More registered childminders than ever before have undertaken training in the last 12 months, according to the National Childminding Association (NCMA), which today released details of its annual membership survey.

The research, conducted by OMB Research in February, sought information from over 1000 randomly selected childminder members of NCMA in England and Wales on a range of issues affecting their work, including access to training and development, quality improvement, vacancies and fees.

The survey demonstrates that a large number of NCMA members are committed to improving their practice and being inclusive despite relatively low incomes. Key findings include:

• Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of respondents have undertaken relevant training over the last 12 months.
• Two fifths (39 per cent) of respondents had undertaken specific training to enable them to care for disabled children or children with special educational needs.
• Over half of the childminders surveyed worked over 40 hours a week, with 53 per cent of respondents reporting an annual turnover of less than £7000.
• Over a quarter of all respondents said they were on a quality improvement network such as NCMA Children Come First.
Liz Bayram, Chief Executive of NCMA, said:

“Once again the survey’s strong message is that the majority of our members are investing in their own training and development, working hard to continuously improve the service they offer to children and their families. And they are doing so despite many of them working long hours and for relatively low reward. While childminders must be congratulated on their efforts, the survey also reveals that more could be done to support them in their achievements.

Did you know that if you were a registered user you could add this article to your clipped articles folder?

Tinies launches recruitment drive to encourage older generation to consider part-time childcare

Tinies, a nanny and nursery staff agency, has launched a recruitment drive to encourage older generations to consider part-time childcare as a new career.

"In the last few months we have seen a rapid increase in the number of parents looking for part-time care for their children," said Amanda Coxen, Director of Tinies. "Around 40% of new registrations are now for after school care and we turn many more parents away because we know we won't be able to find anyone to work for them."

Tinies is subsequently encouraging grandparents and mothers of older children looking for part-time work to consider after school child care as a career choice.

You must demonstrate a strong rapport with children, have professional child care experience or have raised their own children. You must also take a first aid qualification (if you don't already have one). Tinies interviews, reference checks and CRB (criminal records bureau) checks everyone who wants to work through its agency. It also provides access to formal childcare training and qualifications.

After school nannies can expect to pick the children up from school, cook their tea, help with homework and get the children ready for bed. Typical hours are 3:30pm – 7:00pm, but some families may want someone who can work later.

Anyone who is interested in after school child care can contact Tinies on 0800 783 6070 or Head Office on 020 7384 0322. For more information also visit www.tinies.com.