Using the new Journal
NCMA's new Journals were recently redesigned following
member feedback to ensure they meet childminders' needs.
We've received some really positive feedback
about NCMA's new and improved Journals, which were launched in
August.
NCMA member Karen Steer from Tunbridge Wells has used the new
version at her setting since August. Take a look at her review
below.
What do you think about the new Journal?
"I really like it! The new NCMA Journal is a great
improvement on the old Journals. The old Journal
was effectively a childminder's diary but the new one is so
much more than recording food intake, dirty nappies and sleep -
it's a record of the child's personal development whilst in my
care. Each Journal has space for the individual child's name and
photograph."
What is the most helpful thing about it?
"The questions and sections within the Journal
allow me to give a full account of children's highlights
during daytime activities - this really gives parents a
detailed overview of their child's day, which is great, and it
allows your to keep a thorough record of children's
achievements. Paperwork is not my strong point, but I can work with
this book."
What do the children think of their Journal?
"The children I look after are still small babies, however when
they get older I think it will be a lovely record to show them how
they spent their days with their childminder."
What do parents think?
"It's wonderful for routine spotting and whilst it's great to
show children's development, it's also really helpful for the more
practical elements of their care. For example, if a child has been
poorly in the night, then the parent can see very clearly from the
Journal how the child behaved in the days leading up to or
following the illness. Also, if Mum drops off but Dad picks up or
vice versa then the Journal allows both parents to receive a
more rounded, accurate overview of the child's day."
How does the Journal help you run your business?
"This Journal helps my business be more professional - it is a
more efficient way of exchanging information between parents and
myself. It is also a really useful tool when recording Ofsted
observations; every time I complete an EYFS evaluation (a summary
of achievements over a time period), it goes in the 'Summary'
section. There are dedicated sections for photographic evidence
called 'Development matters’, which provides space for photos. I
make use of the Pogo printer to support my observations and the
Journal is brilliant to stick these in to.”
Buy your copy of
the Journal here.