Have any childminders ever been through the process of getting NEG (nursery grants for 3 yo)

[funnypeculiar]

My ds is just 3, and we use a childminder & he has couple of sessions at a nursery. He's now eligable for nursery grants, as I know c/m can also qualify for these. A bit less cash out on childcare would be nice atm, so my c/m said I should look into it

But just talked to Council bods, and it sounded like there will be a quite a bit of onus/hassle for my childminder (extra ofstead inspection etc). Has anyone been through the process? What's it like?

(Incidentally, seething that this is made hard when everything we read/see suggests that c/m environment is a such positive one ... heyho!)

Your CM needs to be a Accredited childminder on a network, to qualify for Nursery grant, it took me about 4 months to get through the training and qualifications. And yes the Ofsted Inspection is different, its 3 days instead of one.

The Cm has to do a lot more paperwork as well, as you have to have written planning and curriculum, the same as as Nursery.

Saying all that it is extra work, for really no extra pay, but I love doing the curriculum bit.

Hiya shosha, just a little o/t here - but how do you come up with your curriculums? I would like to even if it's not necessary as I feel I need to be providing "more" and it' will help me be more organised.

Any advice?

Thanks Shoshalee - yes, I'm very conscious that this will be benfiting me rather than my c/m. What made you decide to do it, if you don't mind me asking?

And you say 'really' no extra pay ... is there any extra pay in it for you ??

crace I did a course al ong time ago used to run a nursery, then I usually choose a theme for the month, find abook I can base my curriculum on, and work from that will email you one so you can see what i@m talking about

FP, I decided to do it as I had 3 mindees who were coming up to 3, who's parents didnt want them to leave me and go to Preschool as they felt they were getting more with me. (we do,do rather a lot) so phoned the NCMA and got the ball rolling, I am on the Dorset and Poole Network.

my CM does because she is a star and it has been a nightmare as the voucher is less than she would earn and technically they are not allowed to charge a top-up to make up the difference.

Fortunately she has my school age dd in the hols (as do the other 3 year olds) so we all now pay a retainer fee for our older children during term time............

So yes it is more paper work for them for absolutely no extra pay.........

No still charge the same amount, doesn't really matter that you are doing it. Market forces set your hourly rate.

hmm, given that my poor c/m is also 6 mths pg, think I may not be inflicting this on her, lol!! It does seem a bit crap that you
a) don't get extra pay for it (given that you're doing extra work...)
b) can't charge over the 'standard' rate (which, as I'm in SE/Surrey) is probably lower than what I already pay my c/m...