I am a childminder, rated by Ofsted as 'outstanding in all areas', and have worked within various settings for my entire career, including schools. I was bewildered when my daughter was turned down for a place at an over-subscribed school as it is the very school attended by some of the children that I care for.
I would like to challenge the notion that being a childminder has no relevance to admissions procedures. I believe the school concerned has already accepted a 'duty of care' to both my son and to their pupils that I care for.
Education is far more than 'bums on seats'. Are the social networks formed with peers, adults and co-professionals not equally crucial? My clients have established a 'care package' for their children, and my service enables them to access this particular school. In these financial times, childminders are frequently the professionals who enable parents to work part-time.
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