Southend
Southend Children Come First Childminding Network
NCMA has been working in partnership with Southend since 2008 to
develop the Children Come First Network and the quality of their
childminding workforce. Before the start of the project the quality
of the registered childminding workforce was below the national
average.
NCMA was engaged to provide consultancy support and advice and
worked closely with the local authority to maximise the
opportunities of government strategy to grow and develop the
childminding workforce.
The service we deliver
In 2010 NCMA developed a Childminder Quality Improvement
Strategy for Southend to document the support available to
childminders and help to target resources where they can have the
most impact, facilitate continuous improvement and extend the
network to all childminders. Working together closely we have
developed:
- A well established childminding workforce
- An engaged, valued and motivated childminding workforce
- A high percentage of childminders on the Children Come First
Childminding Network, that are well placed to support delivery of
government strategy, improve outcomes and support the reduction of
inequalities through provision of family support, specialist
childcare and early years provision.
Results
The results of this project are very clear:
- Increased membership of the Children Come First Network with a
total of 92 members equivalent to 54.1% of the childminder
workforce, 18 being accredited childminders equivalent to 19.5% of
the childminder workforce.
- Development of a Community Childminding Scheme (Marvellous
Minders) with 33 Marvellous Minders (representing 35% of the
childminder workforce) with two strands of delivery.
- Improved Ofsted profiles with over 87% rated good or above in
2011 against the national average of 69%. IN 2008 only 56.5% were
rated good or above against a national average of 59.3%.
- Due to the extensive training programme developed between
Southend Borough Council and NCMA 72% of all childminders in the
Borough are now qualified to NVQ Level 3 or above.
The service team
This team contains four members of staff providing services to
childminders that will meet their needs so that they can offer high
quality services to children, young people, their parents and
carers.
For more information, please contact Vicky Wright, Service
Manager vicky.wright@ncma.org.uk.
Page last updated:
11/17/2011