"Accredited" Childminder?

[Piratemum123]

Hello.

We are looking for a childcare setting for our 3 year old son. As of September he is entitled to the 15 hrs government funding. He has been attending a Pre school but we believe a Childminder would be better for him. It would also help as my partner works shiftS so a flexible childmindr setting rather than a set days preschool means he doesn't have to attend whilst me and my partner are both sitting at home and he could be spending time with us!

My question is- what exactly is an "accredited" Childminder? (We have been told that an accredited Childminder can better provide a Pre school "education" for 3/4 yr olds than just a regular Ofsted registered Childminder, is this correct?) We've also been advised that it would mean we could se the government funding towards the hourly fees which is a bonus, although not essential.

So if someone could explain what difference it would make to our son to have an accredited Childminder I would really appreciate it. Do you think it would be "on par" with what he is likely to learn in preschool?

Lastly, does anyone know how I go about finding a Childminder of this sort? (If any are Reading this- we are in Beckenham near Bromley if you are in that area and can help please pm me)

Thanks in advance, PirateMum

A childminder cant take the 3-4 yr old grants unless they are accredited (like me) that means there in a network and are visited every 6 weeks to make sure all is on track

You will find such cm by phoning a sure start near you

Thanks mop. Can you let me know what it is that makes an accredited Childminder different in terms of what they do with the children? Do you provide "Pre school education" as such like a Pre school would? Thanks for your reply PM

All Ofsted inspected Childminders, pre schools and nurseries follow the EYFS but only accredited childminders can offer the 15 hours free. The only reason I am not accredited is because my local network coordinator has not got organised and it doesn't mean I'm any less skilled .. just can't use the 15 hrs. Also, not all CMs can offer flexible days, but some can, so you need to ask around.

I have just become accredited - I don't do any more than I ever did before. I just get more paperwork and inspected by the LA more often (which they have stared to do for all local childminders anyway). It does mean that I have to keep my standards consistently high (which of course I do anyway . But many childminders around me offer excellent care, but don't want to go through the hoops of becoming accredited as they are busy enough without having to offer the 15 hours FEE. I did it because I had 3 parents that wanted me to do it. Also every LA is different, mopbucket mentioned she is inspected every 6 weeks. I'm not, once a year and then an extra "surprise" visit along with my normal OFSTED is all I get.

p.s the parents still use some of their hours with the local nursery (they can be split) to give them the experience if being in a large group. Otherwise I think my standard of "education" is better.

Once upon a time 'ordinary' childminders did not have to follow any kind of formal curriculum but childminders who were members of an 'accredited' childminding network (a quality assurance scheme) and agreed to the relevant terms & conditions had to follow the Foundation Stage curriculum the same as pre-schools and were able to draw down what was then called the 'nursery education grant'
Since 2008 all registered early years childcare providers (childminders, preschools & day nurseries, but not nannies) have by law had to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum which means in theory they all provide the same level of care & education, albeit in different ways, with a focus on learning through play and meeting each child's individual needs.
This has blurred the distinction between 'ordinary' & 'accredited' childminders BUT you can still only use your free hours with an accredited minder. To be accredited the minder belongs to a Network & receives extra checks from the coordinator, has to attend minimum number of hours training/continual professional development, often have a minimum L3 qualification and a good or outstanding grade (diff Networks have slightly diff rules).
To answer your question any good childminder will provide the same 'education' as a preschool but you can only use your funding with an accredited minder. You can also split your hours between a minder & pre-school as the pp says

Some CMs choose not to be accredited, and not to do the funding, as some LAs pay well below their hourly rate and have very inflexible rules which mean they sometimes end up working and then not ever getting the finding come through. Just saying, so you don't assume CMs who aren't accredited are any less able or "good" as those who are accredited.

The other difference, which I think hasn't yet been mentioned, is that an Accredited childminder should have access to additional training, a qualified nursery teacher and additional support, all through their network.
Since the EYFS was introduced for all childminders, the boundaries have blurred a little, but their membership of a network and all that entails is still an advantage.

But in short - no, an accredited childminder isn't guaranteed to give your child a better 'education' than a non-accredited one. We all have to follow the same framework and are all inspected to the same Ofsted standards.

The best way to find out where he'll get what you want him to get is to go and visit some CMs - don't just rely on Ofsted reports or accreditation, go and get a feel of what's on offer. We're all quite different!

Fully agree with this. I believe there's a childminder to suit every parent and we are very different.

I am, of course, wonderful but I'd be the first to admit I don't suit every parent.