Don't mean to intrude but have a question to ask.......(long sorry)

[KatyMac]

Some background, as a childminder I am continually on courses, SEN, Children with complex needs, sensory impairment, ADHD, ASC etc

We get a brief overview and particular emphasis on the fact that the parent and the child know how to deal with their situation best.

I feel that I get very little actual information that could help me deal with a child with additional problems in general, however I have had children with minor health/sensory problems and have always been able to cope well, I have also minded children with emotional and learning problems and I feel that I have done really well with their care.

My question is (with so little actual training) is it fair to advertise myself as having training in additional needs, and if not how would I go about saying I'd give it my best try ever - and that I'd learn as much as possible as I went along

It seems entirely inappropriate that after such little training I could offer anything significant of benefit

What would parents of children with additional needs think appropriate for a childminder to say?

I think if I were looking for a childminder something like "SN Aware" would catch my eye. When the parent called/visited to ask you for more information you could mention the courses you had been on and your belief that the parent knows best etc. Saying that, I've never used a childminder so I'm not sure how relevant my thoughts are.

P.S. You're not intruding!

Thanks Coppertop that phrase would really explain the whole thing wouldn't it, aware says you've considered sone of the issues but that you're not any sort of expert, that's just what I needed.

Is there an issue (do you think) that parents of children with addional/special needs, don't actively look for childcare - as no-ne else would/could cope?

In my case - definitely. Ds2 (2.5yrs) is very difficult to keep an eye on. He really needs full-time 1:1, which I imagine would make it difficult for most childcare providers. Apparent from the raging meltdowns which seem to appear out of nowhere he really has no sense of danger whatsoever. He's due to start pre-school in a few months and the staff have admitted that they would be unable to cope without extra support.

Ds1 goes to a childminder (a mumsnetter ) for respite- as does one of his classmates. She minds him 1:1 (sometimes with her son there as well) and social services pay. She has just been PECS trained- which is a MAJOR plus if you wanted to look after more complex children.

I think attitude is the all important thing really- the wonderful mainstream nursery ds1 attended had their first autistic child 3 years before ds1 joined. The owner/manager became interested, read a lot, was PECS trained and is n ow an expert, but she knew nothing when her first autistic girl joined.

two things - I could offer 1to1 care for some sessions (depending on lenght) and for longer sessions at a slightly higer rate within the setting (so with other children present), also what is PECS?

PECS you could talk to special schools- often they're happy to show you their set up.

Katymac - I don't know where you live but does your local council have a special needs childcare co-ordinator? Our Children's Information Service appointed one just as I was looking for a childminder for dd (learning disability and epilepsy) and has found me 2 wonderful childminders. It might be worth finding out and registering with them if they do.

I am sure it depends a lot on the child. But for me, the important thing was that the childminder was open to having a child with SN and willing to learn about them. Neither of my childminders has had previous experience of children with SN but both are lovely and just treat dd like one of the gang, while being aware of her additional needs. That works for her but probably wouldn't work for a child with ASD.

I think 'SN aware' would be appropriate.

I would also add that it doesn't matter how much or little training you have had, it is your attitude which is significant and which will make the biggest difference .

Katymac, I think you should definitely capitalise on your training and aptitude. I always think that training is all very well but there's nothing to compare with experience and the right personality/attitude. I think someone like you is gold dust! You could also try getting some Makaton training, maybe get your own copy of the Dave Benson Philips video (available from Amazon or the Makaton website) and see if you could get copies of Something Special. I think some MNers have copies of it, don't think the BBC have released it yet. Good luck, don't underestimate your value!