At the moment, childminders are allowed to care for 6 children under the age of 8, 3 of whom may be under 5 and 1 of whom may be under 1. This is the basic legal ratio allowed for childminders.
It does not take into account the childminder's experience, how long the childminder has been minding, or his or her Ofsted grade. It takes no notice of whether a childminder works alone or with another childminder.
There is a great shortage of childcare in my area and I am having to turn business away because I am not allowed to care for extra children without OFSTED's express and very specific permission, granted only in exceptional circumstances. This not only restricts my business, it also restricts parental choice.
I would like to see the Government allow experienced childminders with Good or Outstanding grades to increase their ratio by law, without having to request a variation from OFSTED. .
Why is this idea important?
At the moment, childminders are allowed to care for 6 children under the age of 8, 3 of whom may be under 5 and 1 of whom may be under 1. This is the basic legal ratio allowed for childminders.
It does not take into account the childminder's experience, how long the childminder has been minding, or his or her Ofsted grade. It takes no notice of whether a childminder works alone or with another childminder.
There is a great shortage of childcare in my area and I am having to turn business away because I am not allowed to care for extra children without OFSTED's express and very specific permission, granted only in exceptional circumstances. This not only restricts my business, it also restricts parental choice.
I would like to see the Government allow experienced childminders with Good or Outstanding grades to increase their ratio by law, without having to request a variation from OFSTED. .
That childminders should no longer have to register as food businesses.
Why is this idea important?
That childminders should no longer have to register as food businesses.
Background
It is hard for both parents to find full time jobs if they have several children, because of childcare issues. Making use of a nanny/ au-pair is often the most convenient option.
Suggestion
Anything that makes the provision of childcare easier is welcomed. For example, individuals, who are not running a business, could be exempted from statutory employment regulations.
Why is this idea important?
Background
It is hard for both parents to find full time jobs if they have several children, because of childcare issues. Making use of a nanny/ au-pair is often the most convenient option.
Suggestion
Anything that makes the provision of childcare easier is welcomed. For example, individuals, who are not running a business, could be exempted from statutory employment regulations.
The Early Years Foundation Stage was the ultimate socialist act of social engineering in the early years sector, The use of public money to regulate pre school years care was unbelievable. The attempt to place childminders, nursery schools and schools on an equal footing is absurd. Childminders are small businesses who trade from their homes and yet they have been asked to be like schools who have resources way beyond any childminder. The whole EYFS process needed to be implemented, trained, monitored and audited which all costs money. Yet there is less money available to the child. Scrap EYFS with immediate effect and use some of the money saved to fund free childcare in a variety of settings. EYFS has been a bandwagon for insecure women to jump onto in order to raise their status and worth. We all now a good mum when we see one. Furthermore, a series of other regulations somehow followed ie food hygiene, hire cars, HSW, etc etc
Why is this idea important?
The Early Years Foundation Stage was the ultimate socialist act of social engineering in the early years sector, The use of public money to regulate pre school years care was unbelievable. The attempt to place childminders, nursery schools and schools on an equal footing is absurd. Childminders are small businesses who trade from their homes and yet they have been asked to be like schools who have resources way beyond any childminder. The whole EYFS process needed to be implemented, trained, monitored and audited which all costs money. Yet there is less money available to the child. Scrap EYFS with immediate effect and use some of the money saved to fund free childcare in a variety of settings. EYFS has been a bandwagon for insecure women to jump onto in order to raise their status and worth. We all now a good mum when we see one. Furthermore, a series of other regulations somehow followed ie food hygiene, hire cars, HSW, etc etc