Keeping children safe during a flood

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 Flood waters present a serious threat to personal health and safety, and children can be particularly at risk. Follow these simple rules to make sure your children remain safe. Floodwater areas Never allow children to play in floodwater areas, and wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water or disinfect them before they are used. You should also wash [...]

Fire safety advice for parents and child carers

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 Fire and children Fires in the home kill dozens of children every year, accounting for nearly half of all accidental child deaths. Children are naturally drawn to the warmth and light of fire, but without the proper guidance this can turn into a dangerous fascination. Children under the age of 10 cause 6,000 fires a year. Talking [...]

Leaving children at home alone

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 The most important factor to consider is how mature the child is. For instance, it may be okay to leave a very mature or ‘grown up’ 12 year old alone for a day while you are at work, but not a 13 year old who is not mature. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty [...]

Childcare Act guarantees a sure start for future generations

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 The Childcare Bill has now received Royal Assent becoming the Childcare Act. The Act guarantees accessible, high quality childcare and other services for children under five and gives parents greater choice in balancing work and family. Marking the first ever piece of legislation specifically on early years and childcare, the Act places responsibility for childcare provision [...]

Childcare options

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 our childcare options include: * Sure Start Children’s Centres - offer early learning, childcare, health advice and family support for families with children up to age five * crèches - provide occasional care for children under eight * [...]

Early years education

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 All three and four year olds are entitled to twelve-and-a-half hours of free early years education a week, for 38 weeks a year, with a ‘registered provider’ such as a school, nursery or playgroup, regardless of income or circumstances. Some large employers provide registered early years education at the workplace. You can also use a registered [...]

Getting Started: Developing childcare in and around schools

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 A resource for schools and partners A must have resource providing essential guidance on delivering the childcare element of the extended schools core offer – extended primary schools are required to offer access to childcare 8am-6pm, 48 weeks a year. This guide supports all those developing childcare in and around schools and covers the essential elements of [...]

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 There are many reasons to consider becoming a registered childminder. If you would like to have a rewarding career, be your own boss and run your business from home, then childminding could be an ideal career for you. Read some real childminders’ stories about becoming a childminder here. As a registered childminder you will: [...]

check online

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 Use the latest online program for staff background info to check references, history etc. of potential employees (or employers). It’s even worthwile to check out yourself just to see the sort of information that is held about you and which can be sourced by anyone via the Net. We recommend this application even if you are using [...]

DEBBIE SMITH, 46, REGISTERED CHILDMINDER

Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 how did you start childminding? spacer I’ve been registered as a childminder for the last four years but I actually worked as a childminder before when my first two children were young. I started then because I thought it was a good way to earn money while they were small. Once I’d started I found I [...]