National Childminding Week - a great cause for celebration

10/06/2009

In March the National Childminding Association (NCMA) wrote in Mature Times about the benefits for grandparents of becoming a registered childminder and how this could increase your earnings whilst still caring for your family. Since the Budget, it was announced that all grandparents of working age that provide 20 hours of childcare a week for their grandchildren will receive national insurance top ups. However many grandparents might still prefer to work as a registered childminder so they can set their own hours and work with families to meet their needs rather than having their hours dictated by government.

 

Now is a great time to find out about becoming a registered childminder. NCMA’s National Childminding Week runs from 13 to 20 June with the theme ‘home from home’. During the week there will be activities to celebrate all that is great about home-based childcare. The aim of the week is to raise awareness among parents, grandparents as well as practitioners about the benefits of using or working with a registered childminder or nanny. With so much recent change in the way childcare is provided NCMA felt it was important to highlight and celebrate the different types of childcare on offer to parents and families.

 

National Childminding Week provides childminders and nannies with the perfect opportunity to market their business and showcase their practice too. Parents who use a home setting know of its many benefits – the focus on the individual needs of the child, the mixed ages and care for siblings together and access to the many and varied facilities in the local community, whether it is the park, library or even the shops. These help to support children’s understanding of the world around them as well as provide continuity with their life and learning at home.

 

So how can you get involved? If there is a local childminding group in your area having an event maybe you could go along with the grandchildren and join in the fun. Or you could use it as a way to find out what’s involved about becoming a registered childminder. Childminders may have put a leaflet on the local school notice board, library or at the baby and toddler group. If the idea of developing a career that means you can work the hours that you want to, learn a new skill and from your own home appeals why not visit the National Childminding Association website for more information: www.ncma.org.uk or phone our free helpline on 0800 169 4486.