Childminding networks

Happy child

NCMA Children Come First

NCMA Children Come First is a quality improvement scheme for childminding networks. Over two-thirds of the childminding networks have chosen to become quality-assured by NCMA Children Come First because it's:

 

  • the only quality improvement scheme for childminding networks recognised across England and Wales.
  • well-recognised across the childcare sector.
  • the only scheme which enables networks to accredit childminders to offer early years education to 3- and 4-year-olds.
  • designed especially for childminding networks and childminders.
  • developed to give networks a strong working framework, which encourages them to plan for the future.

 

A childminding network is made up of a group of registered childminders who are supported by a network coordinator who is employed to manage the network (usually by a local authority). To be quality-assured by NCMA Children Come First a childminding network must show an independent assessor that it meets the NCMA Children Come First Criteria and it must be reapproved every three years.

Childminders joining a Children Come First network must demonstrate to the network coordinator that they meet the network standards and agree to the coordinator visiting regularly.

 

Because the many networks are set up to support particular local projects, for example, caring for the children of teenage parents as they return to school or training, or to provide respite care to families.

 

If you are planning to work with, or join, a childminding network, ask about NCMA Children Come First approval as networks which aren’t approved may not work to the same criteria and offer the same services that quality-assured networks do.

To find a network in your area contact your NCMA regional office or your local authority.

 

If you are interested in setting up a childminding network, get in touch with us to find out ways in which childminding networks have worked with a range of organisations, then contact your NCMA regional office.

 

You can also find out more information about NCMA Children Come First at www.ncmaccf.org.uk.