Gail Hall Memorial Fund

Male childminder with childrenThe Gail Hall Memorial Fund offers bursaries to members of NCMA enabling them to undertake training in caring and working with disabled children and children with special educational needs.

 

The fund may support NCMA members who wish to receive training in, for example:

  • working with disabled children
  • the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice
  • using British Sign Language or Makaton to support children and parents
  • how to carry out specific medical procedures with a child.

 

The fund may also support members who wish to attend other relevant training courses on disability equality.

 

Who can apply?

If you have been a member of NCMA for at least two years and would like to do a training course to help you work with disabled children or children with additional requirements, then you can apply. You don't have to be working with disabled children now.

 

The fund will consider all forms of training, including distance learning, related to caring for disabled children and children with special educational needs or additional requirements. The fund will not cover childcare costs, travel, resources or loss of income.

 

You may apply for another bursary to continue your personal development six months after the completion of any training funded by the Gail Hall Memorial Fund.

 

Please note that bursaries are not available for the Diploma in Home-based Childcare (DHC); the level 3 diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (CYPWD); National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs); or training related to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework; Flying Start or Foundation Phase in Wales; first-aid training or NCMA's annual conference.

 

The fund was set up in memory of Gail Hall, a Training and Development Officer for NCMA's Hounslow Project in the Greater London Region. She was a valuable member of the team and created many training opportunities for childminders within the borough. Sadly, Gail passed away in May 2001. NCMA set up the Gail Hall Memorial Fund as a tribute to her enthusiasm and commitment.

 

Completing the application

You can either:

  • download and print out the application form and complete it by hand. Send your form to: Sue Waterman, Administrator Gail Hall Memorial Fund, NCMA, Royal Court, 81 Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1TG
  • save the form and type your responses in the boxes before emailing the form to sue.waterman@ncma.org.uk.

 

All sections of the application form must be completed in full, giving as much information as you can, including evidence of the course content and costs. Please note that incomplete forms may delay your application. If a bursary is awarded, payment will be made directly to the college or training provider. On completion of the course, applicants will be expected to provide confirmation of attendance, signed by the tutor.