How Long have you been a CM?

[shoshe]

And do you think things have changed for the better or worse since you started?

what is a cm ?

Lilmamma, cm = Child Minder

Shoshe 5 years; I quite like the EYFS

10 years come August and I definitely prefer it now - I like the professionalism brought about by National standards & now EYFS (even if I don't agree with every aspect of these)and its soooo much easier since my children started school

This is my second innings and now coming up to my 7yr mark, previous to that I had 3 yrs going.

I definatately think its changed for the better, its becoming more and more professional, other professionals are beginning to accept us and the worth while job we do - we ain't just mummies who drink coffee and smile at the kiddies earning our bit of pin money.

Sorry realised I didnt put my 'term of office'

Coming up 32 years in Childcare, most of them as a CM.

I started when there was no real regulation, definitely better with it, but not convinced by Ofsted, it was better IMO under the council's Under 8 Officer, feel she knew you better, and knew the good and bad CM's

Now I have got my head around EYFS (although wasn't an awful much different for me as accredited, so was following NC, anyway)

Think that the grading by Ofsted should be different, to reflect more honestly the separate grade within the report.

And CaT I sooooooooooooooo agree with you, isn't it that, the most trying child you will ever have in your Childcare setting is , your own!

11 yrs. It was easier to make quick changes when the Local Authority were on the end of the phone, but I think we are able to make our own decisions more now (ie justify why I do not have a stairgate).

9 years.

I also like that a CM is seen as a professional now. However I don't like the EYFS stuff and all the paperwork. I think most of it is just a bit OTT.

I'm much more comfortable in this role now as well after 9 years. For the first 2 years I didn't really know what I was doing on the business side.

Wow Shoshe that is some dedication!

I agree with you 100% that the gradings that Ofsted currently have a totally pants.

5 years.

Like others, I like being regarded as a professional, not someone staying at home to look after her own children and taking in some others at the same time. (Mine have all started school now so that wouldn't apply anyway)

I would like to know exactly what is expected of us though, as I think I am probably doing too much - most weekends seem to be catching up (or trying to) with paperwork, to the detriment of my own family.

7 years on my own but my 12th year definitely prefer having standards of expectation such as eyfs

I don't however like Ofsted etc as their inspections are ridiculous. I know awful childminders who have gained outstanding because they have copied other peoples risk assessments etc after getting phonecall. I also know brilliant childminders who have received lower grades because they so busy working they not had time to update learning journeys in week before inspection etc or not been able to get a place on a first aid course in time due to lack of availability

5 years

Agree with last 2 messages!

I started again just as EYFS came in. previously cm..mmd 10 years ago and just had to register with local authority.

As usual I agree with Looneytune and the last two posters, I still dont REALLY know whats expected of me regards obs and assessments. (risk assessments and other paperwork are easy )but its the knowing how much detail is expected of my assessments and how often.. all wooly and each inspector seems to be singing from a different hymn sheet..

I know that I could let the children watch ceebeebies all day and spend the time in the office producing wonderful paperwork and get an outstanding grade by lying... I dont.. we do lots and kids have fun and so I spend my Sat night doing it instead... sad.. and will just get good again I suppose....

and in the end I still think most parents see us as nice cuddly babysitters.. mind you whats so awful about that......

I have been a reg cm for 19 years and have seen a good many changes, mostly for the best but not all When I started I did a 8 week course, no first aid, and child protection was not compulsory. My point of contact was SS and they would pop in unannounced now & again. The visits usually were relaxed, informal chats. Then for a long while the visits just did not happen, I assume they were focusing on the people who needed support/watching. When Ofsted took over many of the SS staff crossed over and so I saw a few familiar faces. I used to be a member of the NCMA but unfortunately I find them too expensive now as I work shorter hours and generally less days- part-time in fact. The network idea of support and encouragement has altered over the years to the point where I wonder if maybe we would be better off with the same support resources as the preschools and nurseries. Maybe the idea of an independent professional cm needing a ?line manager? has had its day, of course many would argue that the network co-ord is a friend and mentor. At first I hated the idea of the EYFS- because I loved B23- but I have changed my mind, probably because I?ve found a way of working that suits my hands off approach that still fulfils the requirements. It took a while to get there, at first I was producing far too much paperwork thinking that was what they wanted but have since decided its up to me to decide how I do this job. I?ve been awarded Outstanding twice. To everyone who thinks you only get os if you are good at paperwork I will say this; the inspector can only judge on what she see?s and that means evidence, what she see?s with her (or his) eyes is part of it, what you tell her is part of it, what she reads is part of it. I am useless at selling myself verbally but my last inspector noticed every little thing I said to the lo?s and deduced a lot from our chatter- she told me at the feedback, she had a good look around on her own and thoroughly examined all the paperwork including parent feedback, she asked questions which I answered to the best of my ability. I know the EYFS backwards & have gone out of my way to make sure I implement it I?m not saying that every cm who gets os deserves it, just as I know there are some cm?s who got good who should have got os, but I do feel that some cm would rather dish the grade of os than admit it is well deserved in 95% of cases Of course I might not get os again then I might feel different, or I might just knuckle down and make improvements and hope i do a good job

3 years but I am regulated by a different body to the rest of you as I am in Wales so currently the EYFS does not apply here but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it does.

I havn't really being doing it long enough to notice a change in the way things are done and TBH it is a lot tougher than I expected it to be, a lot more isolating and mind-numbingly boring at times and it's not something I wish to carry on after I come back off maternity leave as I miss working with colleagues and having adult conversations so I hold up my hat up to those of you who have been doing it for donkeys years!

I agree with the posters who say how hard it is whilst your own chidlren are still at home, this is the part I was wrong about the most, I thought I would love being 'paid' to be a SAHM and have other kiddies around but I just find I resent the time I am not having with my own son as I have other children's needs to attend to and paperwork to sort out.

I don't like the fact that the job doesn't finish on friday but takes up my weekend too. And I dislike the fact that I am constantly tidying up children's toys and glitter and glue off the carpets, walls and surfaces. I suppose I have just got to the stage where I realise things aren't always what they seem in life and I know my own mind better now. Gosh- that was honest of me, I know you didn't ask this Op, I suppose I just needed to vent somewhere I hope you don't mind.

to stomp .. am sure you deserved your grade of outstanding.. i did to, but only got good... its still so arbitary and while we, as cms, are striving to be professional and and doing so much more with the childen Ofsted are struggling to catch up with us I think..

the job is still the same.. kids dont change in 19 years, my oldest is 20 and he acted just as my little mindees do now.. thats the nub isnt it..its all about trends and record keeping.. kids are kids,

to The BreastmilksOnMe.. what a refreshing change.. yes its hard to work from home.. my dining room is now the play room so all family meals( including christmas dinner) was on trays I had a lovely Dad pick up on Friday at 6..(paid till them) stayed chatting till 20 past about his baby.. we were going out at 7!!!!! that wouldnt happen in a nursey but it goes with the territory.. I am home when my 11 year old daughter comes home from school.. and paid to be there by other working Mums so feel lucky..