|
Post by smartypants on Jul 5, 2007 22:52:50 GMT
I have been a childminder for nearly three years and have only done the ICP course and first aid.
When Ofsted come round again will the expect me to do all the courses as im scared stiff of assessments and exams???
I haven't had anything to say there are compulsory?
|
|
|
Post by susan on Jul 6, 2007 7:21:15 GMT
Hi Kate,
Dont quote me but I believe come october 2008 childminders have to have a DHC level 3 or at least thats what they've told us on our college course which is why after doing the ICP i've continued to do the other units xxx
|
|
|
Post by lorraine2767 on Jul 6, 2007 12:04:41 GMT
Hi They are the only two courses I have done as well and I have been a childminder for nearly 4 years, I don't like exams and assessments and I get so nervous going to anything like that and meeting people. It would be good to know if we have to do the DHC level 3. Lorraine xx
|
|
|
Post by smartypants on Jul 6, 2007 12:16:02 GMT
Hi They are the only two courses I have done as well and I have been a childminder for nearly 4 years, I don't like exams and assessments and I get so nervous going to anything like that and meeting people. It would be good to know if we have to do the DHC level 3. Lorraine xx Lorraine Its a pity we dont live closer to each other as we could do it together
|
|
|
Post by carolinel on Jul 6, 2007 13:04:02 GMT
all childminders are to be qualified to level 3 standard by 2010. my network co-ordinator told me that from 2010 you have 5 years in which to do it.
im trying to do as many courses as i can, we are lucky in staffordshire as they are all free. apart from the compulsory i've done child protection, and birth to three (although that was a waste of time) am booked to do, every child matters, common assesment framework, and fire safety risk assesment. also done brief training on schemas. i just think that whilst they're free i may as well make the most of it. the courses generally all last around 2 hours for one night or maybe 2 - not much time to give up and there are no exams or anything to do.
if the childminding dries up and i need to find another job, then they'll all look good on my cv!
|
|
|
Post by lorraine2767 on Jul 6, 2007 14:04:23 GMT
Hi Yes it is a shame it is always nice to go with one you know. xx
|
|
|
Post by custardcream on Jul 12, 2007 8:40:49 GMT
hi, i was on a course this week and like yourselves had been told that by 2010 all childminders will have to be qualified to a level 3. So i asked the lady from ncma if this was still the case, as she was saying how doing the dhc would benefit us all(,and i have no doubt that it probably will), but the thought of doing assignments scares me. Her reply was that they now didnt know if this was still the case, apparently there is nothing official written down and she felt that the goal posts had now been moved. But i would not have been told this if i hadnt asked. So who knows, i wish they would make there minds up!!
custardcream
|
|
|
Post by mel on Jul 13, 2007 15:01:26 GMT
I know I need to do more training once I'm up and started properly but I just don't want to overload myself at the moment.
Mel x
|
|
tammy
Junior Member
Posts: 13
|
Post by tammy on Jul 22, 2007 14:08:13 GMT
There are some courses that are compulsory and they need updating at least every 3 years. Off the top of my head they are:
1st aid
child protection
some kind of food hygiene
|
|
|
Post by Pauline on Jul 22, 2007 14:42:29 GMT
Food Hygiene and Child Protection are not yet complusory but if you do them then Ofsted are impressed as it shows good practice.
|
|
|
Post by allykidz on Jul 30, 2007 20:16:50 GMT
I'm also not good with tests etc and really cant see me getting qualified in 5 years from 2010. I;m just way too busy with childminding and homelife to be able to study too - just as I'm sure we all are x
|
|
|
Post by angela234 on Jul 30, 2007 21:02:53 GMT
coursres don't usually involve tests but assignments which aren't as bad as you think, i'm half way through ECP which was replaced by the diploma mind you i haven't done anything towards my course for 6 weeks
I do mine with National Extension College at home in my own time its easier for me as any college is 25 miles away from me
Angela
|
|
|
Post by vik3000 on Jul 31, 2007 7:31:48 GMT
Regarding the DHC - the assignments aren't that bad. If you keep on top of it all and do the assignment each week as you are given it. Its all stuff you are doing as a minder anyway, it's just writing it down. You are given LOADS of guidance and a good tutor should be on hand. I have done the ICP part, units 2/4/5 and just have unit 3 to finish up in September. For me Unit 5 was the worst - its all about planning but I got through it (handed it in last week). Somehow I have managed to get an A in all units so far. There is a book to go along with the DHC - by Shelia Riddell Leach - try Amazon for the cheapest prices.
Onto the NVQ3 CCLD - again there is a Candidates Handbook to go along with the course and loads if this ties in with the DHC. Keeping on top of the written work is essential and a good asssor will help and guide you.
The QF isn't too bad either but I have put that on hold for a month or so!
Besides there is LOADS of help on these forums and all you have to do is put down on paper what you are doing as a minder.
|
|
|
Post by tasha on Jul 31, 2007 9:47:54 GMT
I'M DOING THE DHC TOO - AM ON MY FIRST UNIT (4) I HAVE TO ADMIT I'M STRUGGLING BADLY!!!! In all honestey though this is probably because I'm doing it at home & my tutor is quite literally always on holiday!!!!It really quite annoys me as I'm preying for an E & I know I'm apable of more with support!!!! Trouble is she's the head of the company I'm with - so can't complain really!!! Tasha
|
|
|
Post by smartypants on Jul 31, 2007 16:29:11 GMT
I do mine with National Extension College at home in my own time its easier for me as any college is 25 miles away from me Angela Hi Angela Would NEC except funding from the Transformation Fund Support? As im trying to find a course to start in September but no luck yet?? Kate
|
|
|
Post by angela234 on Jul 31, 2007 18:45:49 GMT
Yes that was how i paid for my course
Angela
|
|
|
Post by carolinel on Jul 31, 2007 22:08:47 GMT
sorry to sound a bit dim, but whats the transformation fund support?
|
|
|
Post by susan on Aug 1, 2007 17:09:06 GMT
It's funding for childminder who are already registered xxx
|
|
|
Post by lorraine2767 on Aug 1, 2007 18:46:11 GMT
Must say I never heard to it either. xx
|
|
|
Post by charleyfarley on Aug 3, 2007 15:40:21 GMT
I'VE ALSO BEEN MINDING FOR A LONG TIME(8 YEARS) AND HAVE NEVER DONE ANY COURSES EXCEPT FIRST AID, I DIDN'T HAVE TO. NOW THOUGH I'VE DECIDED SINCE THEY ARE FREE AND THEY DO LOOK GOOD TO OFSTED I'LL DO AS MANY AS I CAN. DONE HEALTH AND SAFETY. BOOKED ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 AND JUST ABOUT TO START DIPLOMA IN HOME BASED CHILDCARE WITH THE NEC EVEN MORE PAPERWORK. LOOKS GOOD TO FUTURE PARENTS AS WELL AS OFSTED THAT I AM WILLING TO ATTEND TRAINING. DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU DO GET PAID TO ATTEND TRAINING? UP TO £120.00 PER YEAR , I DIDN'T KNOW EITHER
|
|
|
Post by tasha on Aug 3, 2007 16:11:43 GMT
Who pays you the £120? Tasha
|
|
|
Post by theresa on Aug 3, 2007 17:40:07 GMT
Who pays you the £120? Tasha I'd also like to know lol xx
|
|
|
Post by lou on Aug 4, 2007 18:34:24 GMT
i would also like to know that.
i would also like to know how i get courses for free?
i have also done the bare minimum (icp and first aid) i dont know if it varies area to area but it just seems so difficult to do anything here.
i have recently re done my first aid course and the only one they were offering was on a tues and weds, i had to take those days off which meant i lost over £150 in money, plus i had to pay for the course, and i had to pay to put my daughter(3 at the time) in nursery both days.
the whole thing ended up costing me so much money.
i did it as i had no choice.
regards the other courses, im not prepared to do the unless they are free and i can fit them around my family and my life which it seems is not the case?
|
|
|
Post by theresa on Aug 4, 2007 18:50:05 GMT
Hi Lou, i know that here in Stoke on Trent all childminding courses are free once you're in the process of registering and they said on Thursday that there are over 100 courses we can do. You should enquire at your local college to see if there is a bursary fund or your local early years dept to see if they can help financially.
xx Here they are even thinking of running a one day course on what records and receipts to keep, it seems that we are very lucky.
|
|
|
Post by angela234 on Aug 4, 2007 20:28:57 GMT
I know how you all feel the only local courses i've done are first aid (twice 3 years apart)
My ICP DCP and ECP which i'm now studing i've had to do with National Extension College i haven't had to pay a penny for these courses
I have also done Child Protection Awareness course with NSPCC EduCare i think that cost £25.00 it was so easy i done it in an evening. But i had done most of it on my other courses.
Angela
|
|
|
Post by lorraine2767 on Aug 5, 2007 20:26:10 GMT
Were I am we have to pay for courses not sure how much some of them are but most are £10.00, but I know there are others which are expensive and alot run in the day and I am not prepard to have a day off as I just lose too much money. I know £10 is not alot but it soon mounts up. Would be nice if they were free. Lorraine xx
|
|
|
Post by charleyfarley on Aug 6, 2007 21:03:23 GMT
Your early years team pays you £40.00 for every full day you send on a course and £20.00 per half day. So a first aid course would be £80 as it's two full days. It's a new thing only started last year but it's worth knowing. The year for claiming runs from April to April. So get claiming, phone early years up and they will send you a form to fill in
carol x
|
|
|
Post by smartypants on Aug 7, 2007 20:08:18 GMT
Thank you Carol
I will phone them up and see if they do it in my erea..
Rumbing hands together as i have just re done my first aid courses Lol £ 80.00 Great ha ha
|
|
|
Post by charleyfarley on Aug 8, 2007 14:04:32 GMT
No problem. That's how I found out, by a newly registered minder on my first aid course. I'd already done health and safety so I could claim for that too. Don't expect the cheque soon though as I did mine beginning july and still waiting.
carol
|
|
|
Post by charleyfarley on Aug 9, 2007 10:07:51 GMT
Kate hope you've made your phone call re course payment. Received my cheque this morn, didn't take as long as I thought, 4 weeks from when I sent form. It's classed as overtime carol
|
|