Minutes of General Meeting – 16th November 2010

Members attending:

Christine Dale MBE (Chair), Emma Brewer (Secretary), Helen McCasey (Treasurer),Jen O’Neill, Sarah Blevins, Dawn Oliver, Janet Brightmore (Childminding Team), Sarah Street, Anne Wroe, Karen Dougherty, Clare Peers, Karen Simpson, Rebecca Tyler, Julie Bundock, Nikki Barnett, Katie Cain, Michelle Dollard, Janet Clyne, Amanda Carter.

Apologies: Thank you to all that sent apologies.

General Note:  All correspondence will be via e-mail from now on to cut down on the cost of postage.  If you would like a paper copy of the minutes and any other correspondence such as flyers for fun days you need to order these from Christine Dale.

Please ensure that apologies are given before any meeting so that these can be recorded in the minutes.

1. Welcome to everyone.

2. Last meeting’s minutes proposed by Sarah Street, seconded by Michelle Dollard. Janet Brightmore commented there was a mistake in the last minutes regarding the new diploma.  New childminders will complete 4 credits of the Diploma Level 3 in Childcare and not 4 units as was recorded.

3.  Facebook/Internet Safety - Christine explained that some Childminders were putting links to their own websites and setting up groups for their settings on Facebook.  If you are doing this you need to make sure you have permission for your children’s photos to be displayed on the internet and most of all Facebook.

Janet informed us that Stockport Childminding Team are putting together a sample of an Internet Safety Policy.  

It would be good practise if you used the internet in your setting to have an Internet Safety Policy.

4. BOSCMA Logo – If you are using the BOSCMA logo on your own childminding website please can you link it back to the BOSCMA website, if you need help in doing this please contact Christine.

5. Conference – Everyone who went to conference had a good time.  Next Years conference will be on 5th November 2011 at The Royal York Hotel in York.

 

 

6. Christmas Party - will be held on Friday 10th December 2010 at the Alma Lodge Hotel, Stockport. There are still places available the cost is £30 per person that includes a 4 course meal and Motown Cabaret.  A deposit of £10 per person is required to secure the place.  Deposits to be sent to Christine.  Balance can be paid on the night.

7. Dates for Diary – were discussed for next years Meetings and Fun Days, full details will be sent out in January when you renew.

    8. Childminding Team – Alison Kennedy will be returning from maternity leave at the end of January.

If you have any problems with booking on training courses please contact Janet Brightmore and she will do her best to resolve the problem, you can still book on training courses by phone if you wish, but this system will be phased out.

In recent inspections there has not been as many issues as there has been in the past regarding Safeguarding, Janet thinks this may be down to the Safeguarding training and advise available at the moment.

After the Vanessa George review OFSTED now talk to the local authority as part of the Early Years Inspection process.  If the Early Years Team visits you and leaves you with documentation regarding their visit it is good practise to keep it and show it OFSTED when they visit.

Level 3 Diploma in Home based Childcare – Childminders who have passed this award, have received certificates for the individual units they have passed but not an overall certificate too say they have gained this Level 3 qualification.  Janet Brightmore said she would look into this and get back to them.

 

Meeting Closed at 8.15pm