All registered childminders are inspected by Ofsted to make sure they meet the Welfare Requirements of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Network childminders have further assessments to make sure they exceed those standards by committing to the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years’ (PACEY) Children Come First Quality Standards. This means they have chosen to raise their standards in day care and education beyond the national standards set by Ofsted. The childminder will be assessed regularly by PACEY network coordinators to make sure their standards stay high.
By using a network childminder you will know that your child is being looked after by someone who:
provides a standard of care that is in line with the PACEY Quality Standards and is committed to raising the quality of their service
has knowledge of child development
is visited regularly by a network coordinator who will monitor their standards
has cover for sickness and holidays
is fully supported by a network coordinator
has access to excellent toy libraries, play and learn sessions and training
What are the benefits of using a network childminder?
High-quality care/Quality Assured
Before a childminder is accepted onto a network they must show the network's coordinator that they meet the PACEY Children Come First Quality Standards. These rigorous guidelines cover all aspects of home-based childcare and show that a childminder is dedicated to providing a professional service and has demonstrated very high standards of childcare.
Reassurance
All registered childminders are inspected at least once every three years in England. But childminders who belong to a PACEY Children Come First network are visited at least four times a year by their network coordinator. One of these visits is unannounced so the coordinator can see how the childminder works when they have no pre-warning of a visit.
Commitment
By joining a network, your childminder has shown that they are committed to offering the best possible childcare service. You'll know this because childminders who have been accepted onto a network must:
take at least three days' training per year
regularly consider their service and how it can be improved
ask for feedback from the parents and children they work with
Accredited Childminders
I am accredited and able to obtain government funding for early years education sessions for 2, 3 and 4 year old. (see 'About Me' or 'What is an Accredited Childminder' headings for more details). Network childminders who wish to offer early years' education must demonstrate that they meet additional standards.
PACEY Children Come First Quality Standards
1. Taking the professional approach
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
are registered and comply with the requirements of their registration
have suitable insurance cover
undertake relevant training
keep up to date with childminding regulations and legislation
are committed to continuing professional development
are willing to be assessed by a PACEY Children Come First assessor
are committed to continuing professional development
are willing to be inspected by an Ofsted Inspector
have or are working towards an appropriate level 3 childcare and education qualification
2. Managing children's behaviour
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
never slap, smack, shake, bite, frighten or humiliate a child
take a positive approach to managing children's behaviour
set clear boundaries for children's behaviour and share these with parents
give praise and encouragement when children live up to expectations
respond to unwanted behaviour appropriately, according to the child's age and level of understanding
3. Promoting equality of opportunity
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
treat each child as an individual and with equal concern
give every child equal chances to learn and develop
take into account each child's age and stage of development, gender, ethnicity, home language and any disability
encourage children to develop a sense of their own identity and culture
help children to learn about cultures different from their own, and to develop positive attitudes towards people who are different from themselves
are committed to continuing professional development
have regard to the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs and to any additional statutory or local guidance
promote inclusive education
meet children's individual needs
4. Respecting confidentiality
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
do not share information about children and families without the permission of the family
only break this rule in the interest of protecting a child, when they seek advice from appropriate professionals
5. Promoting children's learning and development
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
provide play activities and learning experiences suitable for each child's age and stage of development
support and stimulate children's social, physical, intellectual, communication and emotional development (SPICE)
build learning into everyday activities
support and complement what children learn at home, school and pre-school
keep parents informed about their child's progress
keep written records of children's progress and share them with parents
involve parents in their children's care and learning
assess children's development through observation of and interaction with the child and through discussion with families
plan activities and experiences to suit each child's stage of development, building on their achievements and interests and setting individual goals
produce written records of children's progress and curriculum plans which can be shared with parents
evaluate planning and children's progress, to inform future plans
ensure that activities and experiences provided enable children to make expected progress according to foundation stage guidance (England)
6. Working in partnership with parents
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
know that parents are the most important people in a child's life
recognise that parents know their own child best
exchange information about each child with his or her parents
show respect for each family's beliefs, traditions and wishes for the care of their children
arrange back-up cover for emergencies
review contracts with parents at least once a year
understand children's need for ongoing care with the same carer
7. Keeping children safe
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
pay careful attention to safety and hygiene
ensure a smoke-free environment while they are childminding
make detailed plans of what to do in an emergency
are aware of signs and symptoms of possible abuse and know what to do if they suspect a child is being abused
ensure their work practices help to prevent accidents and promote good health
8. Providing good nutrition
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
discuss children's dietary needs with parents
provide children with a healthy, balanced diet
9. Having good business practice
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
keep organised records of children's attendance, personal details and development
keep accurate written records of accidents and incidents in an accident book
keep detailed financial records
10. Seeking support
PACEY Children Come First network childminders:
seek advice from other professionals when necessary
take advantage of the opportunities for mutual support provided by PACEY and local childminding groups
take advantage of network membership to give and receive professional support
liaise with early years teachers or other professionals as required by the local authority