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Post by vik3000 on Jul 31, 2007 6:25:05 GMT
I am quite proud of myself - (or perhaps I am just a mug?  ), my co-ordinator yesterday asked me if I would be a support childminder for new childminders. She reckons I would be great for the job and that they were discussing me in the office - don't know if thats good or bad lol. I am going to do a bit of training and then off I go.... |
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Post by Pauline on Jul 31, 2007 7:03:12 GMT
That's brilliant Vik, well done  I'm a support minder and it's very rewarding 'job' as many of the new minders just don't know where to start and really appreciate any help. It also helps you too as you get to know all the latest information! I'm sure you will really enjoy it |
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Post by vik3000 on Jul 31, 2007 7:10:42 GMT
Thank you Pauline, I appreciate your confidence in me.
I must admit that I would have like someone helping me through the early days and this site has been a terrific help. I shall be letting the new minders know about this site!
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Post by Pauline on Jul 31, 2007 7:15:25 GMT
That would be great, thanks. Some of my supports are members on here too, although others don't have computers, I don't know how they cope without one with all the paperwork etc.  |
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Post by vik3000 on Jul 31, 2007 7:18:57 GMT
No 'puter??? I keep EVERYTHING on the PC (and yes I have recently backed it up!) |
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Post by debratina on Jul 31, 2007 7:33:31 GMT
hi
this may sound a stupid question but do you have to be on the network to be a support childminder?
its just i want to do my nvq 4 and one of the units is supporting other professionals and that is the only way i think i can get around it or i suppose i could take on a student next year for a baby placement
debra x
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Post by angeldelight on Jul 31, 2007 7:36:05 GMT
That is great news Vik well done
Yes tell everyone about the forum they do not know what they are missing
I would not be able to manage without my computer I find so much information on the web too with lots of activities and ideas
Plus what would I do without all you
Angel xx
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Post by tasha on Jul 31, 2007 7:37:09 GMT
Did you know that if you keep certain types of info about mindees on the computer- you have to notify with the Data Protection Agency - it costs £35. Congratulations by the way, you must fel v. pround - I think you'd make a wonderful support childminder. Tasha |
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Post by angeldelight on Jul 31, 2007 7:49:52 GMT
I do not think any of us keep info on the pc about a child on the pc
I know I do not why would any one need too ?
I just have paper work - policies etc activitys just a load of junk really ha
Angel xx
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Post by vik3000 on Jul 31, 2007 7:51:52 GMT
hi this may sound a stupid question but do you have to be on the network to be a support childminder? its just i want to do my nvq 4 and one of the units is supporting other professionals and that is the only way i think i can get around it or i suppose i could take on a student next year for a baby placement debra x I am not in a network but from the paperwork I see you have to have got a good or outstanding grade from OFSTED. |
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Post by tasha on Jul 31, 2007 7:52:17 GMT
I haven't a clue, but it was on an info sheet in my pack given to me at the pre-reg meeting - so obviously some minders do! Tasha |
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Post by angela234 on Jul 31, 2007 8:14:45 GMT
I don't think we have any support minders in our area i don't know of any
Angela
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Post by Pauline on Jul 31, 2007 12:05:08 GMT
Debra, you don't have to be on a network around here, but you do have to have been minding for a while and like Vik says you have to have a good or above.
Tasha, you are right about the Data protection act, any personal details stored on a computer have to be covered.
If I need to print out anything with a child's details, such as for carrying around with me, I do it on the computer, print it then delete it.
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Post by nannan on Aug 8, 2007 13:41:40 GMT
Hi Vik,
congratulations, I've just been on the course and I'm waiting to be assigned my first childminder for me to support, you dont have to be in the network but it does help when first starting out, (like when I was first registered,) as the visits you have from them help to get you ready for ofsted, and they help with getting to know the standards a bit better, you are giving a lot of good information on the training meeting, and lunch is supplied normally at the venue you will attend, the training isnt hard and you will have an informal time they which is nice. anyway good luck you will be a great help for the new minders,
Mandy
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Post by donnagwynne on Aug 8, 2007 15:01:43 GMT
Sorry to sound really thick, but what is a support minder? Obviously we don't have the in my part of Nottm, because I really could have used one. I don't understand what networks are either. So either I am really thick or we don't have one of those either. Could someone give me a clue please?? Donna |
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Post by Pauline on Aug 8, 2007 20:27:54 GMT
Sorry to sound really thick, but what is a support minder? Obviously we don't have the in my part of Nottm, because I really could have used one. I don't understand what networks are either. So either I am really thick or we don't have one of those either. Could someone give me a clue please?? Donna A support minder is someone with experience who has done training as part of the support scheme and helps newly registered childminders to get up and running - help with policies, information etc. What part of Nottingham are you in Donna? (PM me if you'd rather not say in public) it's just that Nottingham does have a support scheme so I'm surprised you haven't been offered any. A network is a group of childminders working to offer the quality scheme, Nottingham struggles to get funding to have co-ordinators to run them, again it depends on what area you live. |
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Post by pirateship on Sept 5, 2007 14:45:41 GMT
I have a support childminder who I have spoken to once (because I called her) since I have been registered - got my certificate in June.
I was hoping that she would help me out as I don't really have a clue what I'm doing (!) and that we may even become friends...
Unfortunately, she didn't really seem that interested and I've had to struggle on alone - glad I've found you lot though, so many questions to ask!
Would just really appreciate meeting up with another childminder who actually knows what they're doing so that I can fire loads of questions at them!
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Post by tasha on Sept 5, 2007 15:47:36 GMT
Where are you based? Tasha |
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Post by pirateship on Sept 5, 2007 15:53:39 GMT
The Southsea area of Portsmouth.
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Post by Wiggly on Sept 5, 2007 15:58:47 GMT
I have the same trouble as you Pirateship. Sorry, don' tknow your name.
My support childminder rung me about 4 weeks after being registered. I had just walked through the door laden down with suitcases on the day we came back from Butlins and the phone was ringing and it was him. I explained to him that it was not a good time to talk and I never heard from him again until I rung him.
He was going to email details of events to attend etc and again, I haven't heard from him.
I'm in Basingstoke so not a million miles away from you but at the moment I'm not of much use to you as I'm still quite in the dark about many areas of childminding.
It makes me wonder why people take on the role of a support childminder if they are not going to do their job.
Susan
x
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Post by rubybubbles on Sept 5, 2007 19:03:48 GMT
Well done Vik3000
I'm the same as most here! My support mindier called me when I was getting regesitered (June 05) because I was reg in scotland she said, well I see you know what to do blah blah and that was it!
Today I was talking to another childminder who asked how my support was as she doesn't have one (shes been here a year now) and needed some help so she ended up coming round here tonight (spooky this thread hehe)
Is it only for support when setting up?
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Post by theresa on Sept 5, 2007 22:16:36 GMT
hey well done hunny that's brill news, just shows what an excellent minder you are, here in stoke there aren't any buddies etc as no one wants to do it!!
xx
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Post by janet on Sept 6, 2007 13:09:55 GMT
well done vic xxxxx
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Post by teacake2 on Sept 6, 2007 20:48:23 GMT
Hi all of you, I am sorry that you have had such a bad experience with your support minders. I live in Staffordshire and have been a SM since the scheme started here. I have supported about 20 minders since then and offer them all sorts of advice, from completing forms to even trying to get them their first children to look after. I am really enjoying my role and I think the new minders have appreciated the contact with me. Some of them just need to know I am on the end of a phone or email and others need a lot of reassurance during the early days. I am expected to contact them at least once a month and that support goes on for 12 months if necessary, although I am still in touch with a few of them and get to meet them quite often.
One thing I will say is, very often I find it very difficult to contact some people, they do not answer phone calls and neither do they answer any letters I send, and I always put stamped addressed envelopes in during the first written contact attempt.
The ones of you who are having trouble should contact your local early years department and make a complaint and hopefully problems can be sorted out.
If any of you need any help with anything then please let me know and I will do my best.
Teacake2
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Post by Pauline on Sept 7, 2007 20:09:10 GMT
I've had lots of positive response to the support that I offer but I do know that there are some areas which seem to have problems. I agree with teacake that there are some supported minders who are hard to get hold of and even after letters and lots of phone calls, still do not respond.  Never mind, at least you all have the forum here as your own on-line Support!! |
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Post by angeldelight on Sept 7, 2007 21:06:59 GMT
Yes and the forum is the best thing since sliced bread haha
Angel xx
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Post by vik3000 on Sept 11, 2007 16:31:24 GMT
Thanks for all your congrats! I start my training this weekend - all day Saturday and should be up and running by the end of the month.
I get some much info and sound knowledge and advice from you all on here and I really take this support minding seriously. I'm quite nervous about it to, I keep questioning myself, what if I make a hash of it, who the heck am I to be advising other people - just a small confidence crisis!!!! lol
I shall be advising my minders to pop along to here as well.
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Post by miffy on Sept 11, 2007 16:49:18 GMT
Hi Vik
Congratulations and good luck with the training - I'm sure you'll do really well.
Let us know how you get on
Miffy
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Post by monkey1 on Sept 11, 2007 16:55:56 GMT
Hi, iam about to resign as a suportminder! I am fed up with bending over backwards to help a particular one and for her to try and copy everything i say and do. I cottoned on to her cloning attempt recently when she started calling her services the same as mine, with just one word changing. She even had the nerve to say" i loved your adverts in your car thats such a good idea , its taken me ages to cut out all my letters to do the same!"  Cheek! The more i thought about it the more cross i got so i sent a polite text saying i was flattered that she thought my ideas were good but i would appreciate it if she didn't do the same as i prefer to be an individual and i would of thought you would prefer to be too! She ignored this and did it anyway! She even parks behind me at school, which makes me look sad too! I have also heard she has been trying to poach my mindees! What do you think. . . Mimi me wanabe.... or total physico?  |
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Post by janet on Sept 11, 2007 17:50:45 GMT
does sound a bit strange and i know she shouldnt be taking all your ideas but maybe she lacks inconfidence a bit and looks up to you xxxx
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), my co-ordinator yesterday asked me if I would be a support childminder for new childminders. She reckons I would be great for the job and that they were discussing me in the office - don't know if thats good or bad lol.
Cheek!