Childminders Club: NCMA & the proposed Name Change for Childminders

[KatieMac]

I'm feeling a bit after Childminders being referred to as 'Blackmarket nannies'

So I thought I'd start a thread on the NCMA name change. I thought they missed a real opertunity in going for Registered Childminder rather than Professional Childcare Practitioner ....what do you all think?

where was that KMc?

There are so many threads here people moaning about the people who care for their children tonight

If we started to moan about them they would be so angry

switching from nursery to nanny we had an apology....but.....

C/mers are glorified babysitters you know....

My babysitter charges £3.50 p hr (I only charge £3 p hr) SHE must be so better qualified than me //

I am a parent, not a childmender. But, I just wanted to say that I used a childminder for the first year of DD's life. And I thought she was positively wonderful. I only left her because I really wanted someone to work in my home, clean my kitchen, and I wanted to choose the activities (which toddler group, etc.).

So, don't feel that you are not appreciated. I think childminders are a fantastic option for the under ones.

I don't know why they can moan about us

but I am not wanting to get upset tonight

Thanks Uwila - but I do think 'Childminder' can be misunderstood especially by people who haven't used them. The NCMA name change was to address that issue.

It's only in the last 2 yrs that childminder has been under a separate heading in the yellow pages before that we were with babysitters

For what its worth, I always think of babysitters as spotty teenagers who wouldn't recognise the baby from the fridge - apologies to any babysitters out there, I'm sure that's not a realistic view!!! Whereas I see childminders as people trained to look after kids well, and who are very capable of doing it on a full-time basis - which is certainly more than can be said for some nannies and nurseries!! When i started thinking about childcare for dd I was automatically on the side of nurseries - thinking there'd be 'safety in numbers' - having lots of carers on hand instead of one/ Having looked into it more carefully, I'd be far happier with a childminder overall!! However, I just have to get over my natural inability to let dd go first!!!

Wobbleykinks - I know - I'm loosing a little one in January to nursery - and I want to keep him - he's FAR to little for Nursery. Actually he'll enjoy it loads and is SO ready - but he's MINE

That is the hardest thing

Last summer I lost CMB going into prep school
He had been here since little baby

But I still see him regulary.

Just to let you know, my dd's childminder is wonderful and dd is very happy with her. And so am I!

Katiemac - it's an insane paradox - as a mother I'm convinced I'm not doing a good job but then when I think of someone else looking after dd I get convinced they won't be as good as me - mad!!!

I did a double take too when I read that blackmarket (childminders) comment. Don't think it was meant in the way it was read though.

'Professional Childcare Practitioner'???? What a load of pompous twaddle that sounds. I certainly shan't be calling myself by that name.

Most children already have their own professional practioners - their parents. And childminders are not 'professionals' in the true occupational meaning. Do we belong to a professional body, or are we on a professional register? No.

I am a sensible, reliable and experienced childcarer and self-employed businesswoman.
Auntie goosey the childminder will do just fine.

Haven't got much time for the ncma.

goosey, I share your opinion on the term 'Professional Childcare Practitioner' but was surprised by your comment "childminders are not 'professionals' in the true occupational meaning"

a profession is a paid occupation, a business, a career (sounds like childminding to me)
professional means

• relating to a profession, ie paid occupation
• engaged in an activity as a paid occupation rather than an amateur
• imppressively competent

The dictionary meaning certainly sounds like a childminder to me

I agree with you ayla99. I see my self as a professional person running a buisness.

I class ´professionals´ as doctor, lawyers, paramedics, nurses etc who have to belong to a recognised national register and who have had to under go years of professional training to get to their professions. I think the term ´professional´ is used too loosely nowadays although I agree that I AM a competent and experienced chidcarer and I pride myself on a job done to the very best of my abilities. I am quietly confident that parents/carers will recogise my qualities without a fancy title to advertise myself.

Were any of you childminders at National Conference this weekend? I have just got back from Scarborough, 250 miles in 3.5 hours, not bad!

We have voted unanimously to lobby for all legislation to refer to us as 'registered; childminders.

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Thanks yorkiegirl

that is lovely

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Alibubbles - is the conference worth going to - it seemed an aweful lot of money and travelling.....but I was tempted.

What did we all miss could you give us the low down?

Katiemac, it is great to get together with childminders from all over the country and hear their views on various issues.

This years was the biggest assembly of childcare workers in Europe ever held, apparently!

Last year was Torquay and I went there too, the same distance as Scarborough, 250 miles. It is going to be in Torquay again next year, hope to see you there!

There were a lot of first time delegates this year. It is good value for money. I will probably always go as it is interesting to meet the NEC who do all the lobbying and hard work for us. Gill Haynes, is a lovely person and always remembers meeting you, though she must meet 1000's of childminders. A shame Penelope Leach was not there due to illness, but she is another person who is good fun to talk to.

We gave Margaret Hodge a run for her money, especially if she though she was going to be vote collecting this weekend.
An emergency resolution was put through for the NEC to lobby government and Local authorities to take note that Childminders have been doing wrap around care, extended school day care for yonks, and that we should be in on any consultation locally with regarad to provision, especially as some areas, childminders are struggling to fill vacancies.

One school does 7.30 - 9.00 including breakfast for 50pence, how can childminders compete with that!

Alibubbles, I was there too for the first time and thought it wa an absolutely fantastic weekend. It makes me proud to be an NCMA registered childminder.
KatieMac apparently the reason for not calling us professional childcare practitioners is that the initials PCP stand for an american drug or something? I wouldn't want to be called that anyway!

The highlight of my weekend was listening to Gervase Phynn the children's author. It was like being on an emotional rollercoaster. He was just brilliant, and of course the bookworm ball! Alibubbles did you go in fancy dress?