Working with childminders
Childminders in England are registered and inspected by
Ofsted, trained and usually local to your centre. This makes them
ideal to support and supplement your centre staffing.
Extending reach
If your centre is oversubscribed, consider using registered
childminders to provide extra childcare places. Using childminders
means that parents have a choice of whether their child is cared
for in a home or group setting - or the best combination
of both to suit the child.
Integrating childminding into the centre's provision can add to
your offer - for example, parents working shifts can access
children's centre-supported childcare in their community outside
the core hours by using childminders to offer wraparound care.
Specialist care
Experienced childminders can provide specialist one-to-one care,
helping the centre meet the needs of individual children. Because
childminders' homes are approved by Ofsted, this care can be either
in the centre or in a home setting. This flexibility is beneficial
to both the centre and families, as children can be cared for in a
setting appropriate to their needs.
NCMA offers a template
community childminding contract for specialist
childminding arrangements. Children's centre staff can join NCMA as
a Quality
Partner and receive up to 50% off NCMA products.
Employing childminders as "bank staff"
If they are not childminding full-time, childminders may be able
to come and work in the centre, providing cover for sickness,
holidays or training. For example, a childminder caring for
teachers' children may have the whole of the summer holidays
without childminding commitments - leaving them free to provide
cover when centre staff want to take holidays.
Similarly, childminders caring for children before and after
school may be able to come in for a few hours during the day -
ideal if you need extra cover during lunchtime.
Because childminders in England are registered by Ofsted, you
can be sure they already meet registration requirements. NCMA has
produced a briefing for children's centres to help
clarify this situation.
Helping you get started
NCMA can offer support in developing working relationships with
childminders. Visit our children's centre resources section for
sample policies and procedures as well as good practice
guidance.