The NCMA published a briefing paper last week to explain to schools the importance of including registered childminding as part of their full wraparound childcare package.
The briefing, Home-based childcare and extended schools, encourages schools to start developing their extended schools proposal by checking current childminding provision in their catchment area. Schools have the option of setting up a vacancy-matching service, where parents' childcare needs are matched with local vacancies, or setting up an NCMA Children Come First (CCF) childminding network.
A CCF network, endorsed by Investors in Children, is run by a paid co-ordinator who provides up to 40 network childminders with ongoing assessment, support with training and continuous professional development.
Liz Bayram, NCMA's director of policy and public affairs, said, 'We hope all our staff and our 50,000 members will contact their local schools to discuss opportunities to develop childminding services and networks. We feel getting people directly involved at the local level will be the most effective approach.'
The briefing will also be sent to major organisations such as the National Association of Headteachers and the National Confederation of Parent-Teacher Associations.
Ms Bayram said the NCMA had already had great success with childminding schemes across the country and was keen to get more schools involved. She said, 'For the past five years, Hertfordshire schools have run a vacancy matching service and the scheme now covers 318 nurseries and primary schools across the county. Hertfordshire childminders are responsible for letting local schools know about their vacancies and the school offices keep details of these to share with parents looking for childcare.'
Ms Bayram said the ideal scenario would be for all schools in England and Wales to offer childminding as part of their childcare portfolio. She said, 'The key message is for schools to work in partnership with local childminders. Every community has a unique childcare need, so we hope schools will get in touch with the NCMA to discuss their plans.'
The briefing can be downloaded from www.ncma.org.uk.