A recap of childcare news from autumn 2022 plus resources, updates and behind the scenes at MindingKids!
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Can you believe we are nearing the end of November? 2022 has been another very challenging year with this winter bringing yet more uncertainty. Many of us, the families we care for and our own family and friends may be struggling, financially, spiritually or emotionally. It has never been more important to spread as much kindness as we canā¦
āSpread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.ā āMother Teresa
Hello and Welcome to all our new visitors, and a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of our loyal members, customers and followers for your ongoing support!
If you are just starting out in the world of childcare or have years of experience, we hope that MindingKids can offer something to help you on your journey.
In childcare newsā¦
šAutumn Statement ā What about Early Years?
Following the Chancellors Autumn Statement, there are growing concerns that the Early Years Sector has been forgotten aboutā¦again! Whilst an extra Ā£2.3bn per year has been allocated for schools for 2023 and 2024, there was nothing included in the way of additional support for early years or childminders.
For those of us who employ staff, the increase in minimum wage to Ā£10.42 per hour adds further pressure on top of spiralling energy and other business costs. So, do we increase fees to maintain sustainability, whilst adding further burdens to already struggling families? OR do we relax ratios as debated in parliament last week knowing that quality of care, safety and wellbeing of children and staff are being compromised? We all wait in hope for a fair and sensible solution.
Read more about the Autumn Statement concerns in this Nursery World article and the ratios debate from the Early Years Alliance.
š·Supporting Families through the Cost of Living Crisis
With so many families (including our own) feeing household budgets squeezed in so many directions, it is vital that we keep up to date with the help and support available and pass on information to families.
The Help for Households Campaign draws together information on support packages and schemes available.
On the government website you can Check benefits and financial support you can get and find an Energy bills support factsheet.
For advice specific to Scotland visit the Help during the cost of living crisis campaign
For advice specific to Wales visit the Get help with the cost of living guidance
For advice specific to Northern Ireland read Cost of Living Information and advice
The Citizens Advice website includes lots of cost of living information and support and the Money Saving Expert website is also packed with advice to help cut costs and save money.
You should also check your local council website for cost of living support help in your area.
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š«Anti-bullying week
This year anti-bullying week took on the theme āReach Outā with free resources and tools on offer to support schools, parents, carers and children prevent and respond to all forms of bullying. Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in England and Wales, respectme, Scotlandās anti-bullying agency and Northern Irelandās Anti-Bullying Forum in Northern Ireland the awareness week has grown significantly since it began back in 2002 with now over 80% of UK schools taking part and making use of resources. With so many pressures on children and young people impacting their wellbeing and mental health the importance of promoting an anti-bullying culture has never felt so strong.
Find further information, resources, and activity ideas here. Ā
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šRoad Safety Week
Brakeās Road Safety Week is the biggest annual road safety campaign which aims to raise awareness about road safety for all road users and pedestrians. The theme this year was Safe Roads for all with free action packs is available for schools and educators. The Beep Beep Day action pack has been specifically designed for children aged 2 to 7 years and includes some great resources and activity ideas to help teach very young children how to stay safe near roads and when travelling.
Find further details on the Brake website here
šCOP27
Taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the annual UN climate summit once again highlighted the urgency of action required around the world to tackle the devastating effects of climate change. This yearās summit agreed a Loss and Damage Fund to help support climate-vulnerable developing countries, and urged World Leaders to act immediately on green energy, sustainable agriculture and food security solutions.
In our settings we have a responsibility to promote greener ways of living and can help children to learn why it is important. Find an Environment and Sustainability Policy included in the Policies & Procedures Pack and our Climate Change Activity Pack is bursting with inspiration to help teach children all about the causes, effects and solutions of climate change and what we can do to look after our planet.
š Preparing for the New Year
Many of us will already be looking ahead to 2023 and preparing for changes in our settings. Some of us may have vacancies to fill, new families to welcome or be looking for new ways to stay organised and efficient. If you have spaces to fill then you may be looking for free or low cost ways to advertise. Word of mouth is by far the simplest, and often the most successful way to attract new business. Parents who are looking for quality care for their little ones are far more likely to go to a provider that has been verified and recommended by a friend or family member. Do not be shy to ask the families you already provide care for as well as your own family and friends to help spread the word.
Find Advertising Tips and resources to help Market your business in the new Service Information & Marketing Pack as well as advice on how to manage and respond to enquiries about your childcare service. Enquire about our Customisation Service to add your own logo image and further personalise to suit your individual circumstances.
Having effective planning methods in place is also essential for ensuring your childcare business runs smoothly and efficiently. Again the new year is often a good time to plan ahead and set out business goals for the months ahead.
Our new Monthly Planner resource can be completed digitally or printed month at a time to fill in by hand and can be used as a useful tool to organise topics, themes and activities as well as note down important reminders.
Further resources to support long, medium or short term planning can be found here.
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For providers registered in Scotland (Care Inspectorate)ā¦.Ā
ā Quality assurance and inspection not working for childminders
A survey by the Scottish Childminding Association of 1,263 childcare providers has shown that the Care Inspectorateās current inspection system is not working for many childminders and is in fact contributing to the continuing fall in childminder numbers. The survey has highlighted that many childminders feel the current inspection system is geared more towards nursery settings and the increased bureaucracy required in order to deliver funded places is unmanageable. More than half of survey participants believe it is āvery unlikelyā or āunlikelyā that they will be delivering funded places in the next two to three years. The SCMA has expressed deep concern that unless changes are made, the Scottish Governmentās commitment to delivering funded childcare cannot be met and parental choice will be limited.
Find more information on the SCMA website and in this Nursery Word article.
ā»Refreshed GIRFEC Materials
To help support practice, the Scottish Government has published refreshed GIRFEC materials. Whilst the overall GIRFEC approach remains unchanged, the values and principles that underpin the Getting It Right For Every Child approach have been updated to reflect current policies and practice, including childrenās rights and the UNCRC.
Find the updated GIRFEC resources here
MindingKids will be reviewing and updating our GIRFEC / SHANARRI Resources to tie in with the new government guidance.
š©Annual Returns 2022-23
Each year the Care Inspectorate asks all service providers to complete an annual return to assist with keeping records up to date and inspection planning. All registered providers are required to complete a return, even services which are currently inactive. The online system to complete your return will be available early in the new year between 9th January and 19th February so put a reminder in your diary for after the festive break. You can find further information here or contact the Care Inspectorate if you have any questions or concerns.
For providers registered in England (Ofsted)ā¦.
š£New early years blog
In September Ofsted launched their new early years blog with an aim to āraise awareness and promote a better understanding of education and care in childrenās early years.ā The blog will be updated regularly to feature current issues and provide information and guidance for all Ofsted registered early years providers. It is certainly worth following to help keep up to date with any regulatory changes and good practice guidance.
If you have not already done so, you can find the blog and sign up to receive regular updates here.
š¶š»Early years curriculum review
As part of a series of reviews on early years education, Ofsted have published Best start in life part 1: setting the scene. The report highlights the value of play, teaching and supporting communication skills whilst also explaining that practitioners must think carefully about what children already know and priories accordingly to help children ācatch upā after the pandemic.
Published only last week, the report has already fallen under heavy criticism with an open letter to HMCI Amanda Spielman already obtaining more than 100 signatures from experts and leading early years figures. The letter highlights nine main ādeficienciesā and that the report āfails to show an understanding of practice in the early years’.
Find the Best Start in Life Report here and the open letter from the sector here
š Home Learning Environment Campaign
The Department for Education has launched a campaign with an aim to encourage parents and carers chat, play and read more with their children in order to support them with communication, language and literacy skills. A new online hub is now available with ideas for play and activities alongside tips and links to local support.
As well as suggesting communication and language activities for different age groups, the Start for Life website also includes lots of useful information for those caring for babies and toddlers including advice on physical development, weaning and vaccinations.
Find the new Learning to talk section here
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And at MindingKidsā¦
šTesting Phase
We are now moving into the testing phase of our new website and app and have everything crossed that this will be launched in the first part of 2023. Unfortunately, this work has taken far longer than anticipated but we are in the hands of the technical experts and as the famous quote says āGood things come to those who waitā.
ā»Resource Revamps
Recently we have been focusing on refreshing some of our customisable resource packs replacing the Parent Information & Marketing Pack with a new Service Information & Marketing Pack and improving the quality of our Invoices, Receipts and Letterhead templates. Our next mission is to update the Contracts Pack with the same design options.
āCustomer Feedback and Support
We are delighted to continue to receive positive feedback from customers regarding our resources and app.
āMindingKids is my number one stop when I need somethingā
āYour resources are a godsendā
āI would be lost without youā
āMy inspector was impressed with all my printoutsā
These are just a handful of recent feedback comments received. I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for supporting me with my business. Feedback is really important to me as it helps me understand which resources are working, where improvements can be made and what new resource packs would be useful.Ā Please never be shy to get in touch to leave feedback, suggestions, or (as one very helpful customer did recently) point out mistakes!
I am always happy to hear from you all.š
Since our Summer News Update the following resources have been added, updated or improvedā¦
Remember MindingKids Members have unlimited access to all MindingKids resources immediately as they are added or updated! Click here for further details!
New and Updated Resources
NEW Service Information & Marketing Pack – Market your business, fill spaces and provide families with all the information they require about your childcare service. Create eye-catching Posters and Flyers, professional Business Cards and share details of your childcare service through colourful Leaflets and a comprehensive Service Information Booklet.
FREE Choose a Childminder POSTER! – Help to dispel any myths and SHOUT about the high quality care we are proud to provide with this FREE Choose a Childminder Poster! Print and DISPLAY in your setting OR SHARE digitally/locally alongside your details to help promote your business and fill spaces.
NEW Invoices, Receipts & Letterheads! – Create organised invoices and receipts alongside orderly letterheads to ensure your business finances are managed with a professional touch. A vital resource to help keep your accounts in order. Choose from our selection of designs or enquire about our Customisation Service to further personalise your forms.
FREE Diwali Activity Ideas Sheet! – Celebrate Diwali and discover the fascinating festival of lights with this FREE Activity Ideas Sheet! Keep children busy and help them to learn about The Story of Diwali and the importance of the Diwali celebrations. Links activity ideas to the areas of learning and development!
NEW Observation Record Sheets! – An effective solution to recording observations whilst linking to relevant care standards, learning frameworks and development guidance. Quickly record childrenās behaviour, progress and achievements and consider the next steps to support learning. 3 versions of this pack are available for providers based in Scotland, England or Wales!
NEW 2023 Activity Planner! – Get set for 2023 with our NEW Yearly Activity Planner! Includes list of 2023 special dates and festivals to help you PLAN activities around topics, themes and childrenās interests! Schedule ahead for the entire year or note down as you go to remind you of what you have covered.
NEW 2023 Multicultural Calendar! ā Perfect for long term planning and teaching children about festivals, cultures, traditions and awareness days from all over the world! Excellent for displaying in your setting, to give as gifts to families or to plan for the year ahead in your own household. INCLUDES Activity Ideas Sheets packed full of ideas for to enhance childrenās learning around each special day.
DOWNLOAD NOWā¦OR order your Professionally Printed Copy!
NEW Monthly Planner for 2023! – āKeep track of special dates and celebrations āPlan topics, themes, outings and visits āNote childrenās interests āSchedule activities āSet Goals, Targets and Reminders.
Coming Soonā¦
š„Refreshed Contracts Pack!
Thank you to all for your continued support! š
Cheryl & The Minding Kids Team! xxx
