27/01/04 - Copeland Childminding Network is First in Cumbria

Parents and children in Copeland have the best quality in childminding available to them, as a result of a new network of childminders in the area.

The Children Come First (CCF) Network in Copeland is the first CCF network in Cumbria to be assessed and approved by the National Childminding Association.  Children Come First is a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme for childminding networks, developed by the National Childminding Association, the Department of Employment and Skills and OFSTED.  The care provided by a Children Come First Network childminder is quality assured through regular monitoring and continuous training.

The Network celebrated this achievement together with an excellent assessor’s report at a special event on Saturday 24 January 2004.   

There are currently 12 childminders in the Copeland Network offering around 30 full time childcare places to children.  Also many offer before and after school care or 'wrap around care'.

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says, 

“Childminders often work very flexibly to meet the needs of individual families.  Many childminders care for children outside of normal working hours, including school holidays, so parents can arrange care to suit their working patterns, even if they work shifts or part-time.  I am delighted that Copeland is the first area in Cumbria to offer a Children Come First Network of childminders.  The children and parents of Copeland deserve high quality, flexible childcare and the Network will ensure that the children cared for by its childminders receive the very best.”

Vivienne Halliday is Copeland’s CCF Network Co-ordinator.  She says,

Using a Children Come First Network childminder means parents know a quality assured childcare professional is caring for their child.  The network co-ordinator supports parents and can help to match families with childminders.  We can also help if a family’s usual childminder is ill or on holiday.

We have been working with childminders and colleagues in the Early Excellence Network from Frizington Nursery and the Howgill Family Centre for over three years to ensure that parents have the highest quality childcare available whichever type of childcare they choose."

Every three and four year old in Cumbria is now entitled to free part-time early education.  Many parents choose for their children to receive this education in a day nursery or pre-school.  Accredited childminders belonging to a Children Come First Network are also able to offer early years education, allowing parents another option for using their entitlement to free part-time education. Childminders belonging to the Copeland Network hope to be able to offer this benefit to parents soon.

The National Childminding Association’s assessment of the Copeland Network was very positive, in particular it praised the training on offer to childminders, its approach to the recruitment of childminders to the Network, and its success in bringing members of the network together in a such a varied geographic and social area.

For more information on the Children Come First Network in Copeland contact Vivienne Halliday on 01946 727279.