This week has been a PR disaster for childminding professionals. We were bashed on Panorama, The Wright Stuff and now by Chief Insp.SMW.
As SMW expresses doubt in us, why should any other user groups take us seriously? Thanks SMW for setting childminders back twenty years 
All we childminders know that our job today is not what it was some twenty years ago. I believe the lack of positive /balanced/ insightful profile of childminders in the media lies firmly on the doorstep of the NCMA.
Why is it that our sector is always portrayed in a biased light? Yet the sorry ?our? NCMA remain silent. We childminders are doing our bit on an individual basis, the results of which are measured in increased grade attainment of Good and above on inspection, under the EYFS in its current format. The NCMA really need to follow the National Day Care Trust?s blueprint, recruit some dominant eloquent personalities who can really raise our profile.
SMW says; 'My view is that we should really look at the future of how we inspect early years, and particularly childminders, to make sure that the very large numbers of children in childminding settings are given a good delivery.?
This implies that Childminders are failing the children in its care; however the inspection statistics do not reflect this. Having said that, how is this really measured? In the past, I?ve had children come to me from a nursery setting I get permission from the parents to request information of the children?s progress, but I?m met with a brick wall. When children leave my setting, the schools they go on to are not interested. So much for working in partnership 
Then says;
?I think the issue is for childminders it becomes childminding, care and support, rather than subscribing to the EYFS education goals.?
I would like to know the empirical source of this statement. This comes after a time when OFTED outsourced is inspection role. Perhaps Tribal under tendered their contract and want to relinquish its responsibilities earlier than planned? Is it that schools have reported that children who enter reception from a childminding setting have not attained specific outcomes for their age? Again, where was the NCMA in all this?
Considering its been proven that a home based environment is bet for the under 5?s, Imagine if the NCMA wielded the kind of influence mumsnet has. There would be NO doubt as to what role, scope and value of a childminder is.