Putting your plans into action

 

Level of engagement: Planning and implementation

 

Have you considered the following? Action plan Resources required
Why choose a network childminder? Find out if there's a network in your area. Or talk to your local authority about plans to develop a network.

Home from Home film
How childminders can support vulnerable and disadvantaged families. Identify the specific needs of your children's centre users and develop an implementation plan to facilitate engagement with childminders. Remember to set a target date as well.

Success stories

NCMA AOM list
Consider the criteria for a childminding network.

Network childminders should be:

  • qualified to level 3
  • be rated good or outstanding by Ofsted
  • committed to CPD and therefore supported to access training
  • managed by a dedicated network coordinator

Networks can be used to offer particular and targeted support to a specific group of users, teen parents, or parents of disabled children, for example, helping achieve local provision goals. Childminders on accredited networks can also deliver the Early Years Education Entitlement for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds.

Role of a network coordinator

 
Some childminders will be keen to move to a childminding network, others will prefer to work independently.

Many non-network childminders are:

  • qualified to level 3
  • rated good or outstanding by Ofsted
  • committed to CPD

Consider how to identify these childminders

  
How will you engage directly with childminders?

Consider offering:

  • peer-to-peer support
  • drop-ins
  • toy library
  • training pathway
  • route to joining network
  • partnership working with other centre users
  
What paperwork you will need and how childminders can be part of the solution.

Paperwork might include:

  • sample policies and procedures
  • inclusivity plans
  • safeguarding documentation

Success stories

Memorandum of understanding

 
NB A new government is now in power. All statutory guidance and legislation linked to from this site continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise, but may not reflect Government policy.