The Barnsley Childminding Network

Based within Barnsley Choices the Barnsley Childminding Network is an NCMA (National Childminding Association) approved ‘Cluster’ Network, with over 40 childminders assessed as part of either The Early Years Educational Network, The Sponsored Network or The Support Network and in some cases all three services.

The Network is run by three co-ordinators, all based within the team at Barnsley Choices, but with each one specialising in one of the three Network services.

The Network recruits, assesses and supports Ofsted registered childminders across Barnsley and is helping to raise the professional and public profile of local childminders by its recognition on both a local and national level.

The aims of the Network are:

• To promote high quality registered childcare
• To raise the status and so increase recognition of registered, quality assured childminders
• To offer a range of services to all children and their families within the borough of Barnsley
• To provide registered childminders with the opportunity to pursue recognised training and qualifications, including courses relevant to the specialised service offered
• To give confidence to parents/carers by setting high standards for network childminders, whilst complying with both local and national standards, in line with the recommendations from ‘Every Child Matters’
• To signpost families to a range of support and information within the Borough
• To maintain links with NCMA in order to keep up to date with issues and developments within the area of childcare and education
• To provide parents with access to funded early years education following the curriculum for the Foundation Stage
• To provide parents/carers with access to sponsored places through Social Services/agency referrals
• To provide support via a mentor scheme to potential and newly registered childminders as a pathway to creating sustainable quality childcare

LINKS

• The Sponsored Network
• The Early Years Education Network
• The Support Network
• Childminders Together – not part of Barnsley Choices