Helping childminders make a difference
Jo is part of NCMA's community
childminding scheme and works with a 9-year-old boy who is
estranged form his parents and lives with his grandparents. The
grandparents have their own health issues and the child’s behaviour
can be challenging and at times, disturbed.
Jo offers a home situation where her entire
family have become involved in the care. Jo’s husband has become a
friend and mentor to the child and her children good
companions.
The boy, K, is included in every aspect of
day-to-day family life, including activities and outings. Jo has a
small but well equipped home with outdoor space. Jo uses local
facilities as well as sourcing events and activities in the area,
for example, Children’s centre activities and events, including fun
days. K often benefits by using resources in the form of the NCMA
grab bags to have play and craft activities available at home.
The child’s grandparents wrote these comments
to Jo regarding the care she offers to their grandson:
“We don’t know what we would do without you;
it is like a second home for K. He has opportunities that we
couldn’t provide and the kindness and support you give is
invaluable to help us cope and K to find happiness and
stability.”
Helping him achieve
Jo offers an environment that encourages
healthy eating and lifestyle choices and provides safety in a
physical sense as well as a safe place for K to express
his feelings and develop self esteem.
Jo provides a range of stimulating activities
that are appropriate for K’s age and stage of development. He
really enjoys being in Jo’s setting and spending time with her
family.
Jo encourages a sense of humour and compassion
in the children that she works with, helping children to build
coping strategies and resilience for dealing with difficulties. K
has problems with behaviour management and his grandparents often
struggle to control him. However, in Jo’s setting where the
boundaries are clear and Jo is kept busy and stimulated, behaviour
is not an issue. Jo also helps K to develop skills of independence,
learning basic self help skills.
The work that Jo and her family do with K,
extends beyond the time that he spends with in their home. K’s
Grandparents will contact Jo and her husband for support in dealing
with K between placements.
NCMA was instrumental in liaising with the local social services
team to arrange the placement and Jo is supported by the network
coordinators.