Respond to a consultation

Childminding Quality Improvement Networks - Make your voice heard

 

There are a few days left for you to have your say on Childminding Quality Improvement Networks and whether they should be accessible to all childminders. 

 

The Department for Education is seeking views on proposed guidance to help local authorities establish quality improvement networks and support and develop childminders and childminding in their areas.

 

This guidance is intended to help local authorities establish new or strengthen existing childminding networks. 

 

The National Childminding Association has supported the development of the guidance and supports the move by Government to ensure that registered childminders in every local authority have access to a Childminding Quality Improvement Network.

 

NCMA has responded to the consultation and would encourage registered childminders to also take part by responding. The deadline for responses is Thursday 24 June 2010.

 

Read the consultation document (external link).

 

Respond to the consultation online (external link).

 

A summary of NCMA's response to the five questions in the consultation follows:

 

1 Do you think it is a good thing that all childminders should be able to access a network? Yes

 

2 Do you think that this tiered model is the right approach, and would be accessible to all childminders whatever their levels of qualification and experience? Yes

 

3 Should the model say more on the recommended external assessment and verification arrangements? If so, what would that be? Yes

 

For example, NCMA supports external assessment and verification and would welcome a statement which is clear that the assessor should be independent and have experience and strong expertise in the field.

 

4 Are there any other features that a childminder network should have? Yes

 

For example NCMA believes that the Childminding Quality Improvement Network should have due regard to the special educational needs code of practice . 

 

5 Are there other arrangements that might meet the same objectives as a childminder network, but in a different way? Please state what those arrangements would be? No

 

If you have any further questions about responding to the consultation please contact Tim Farrow in the Communications Department. We would also like to hear from you if you decide to respond.