Minutes of General Meeting – 12th July 2011

Members attending:

Christine Dale MBE (Chair), Helen McCasey (Treasurer), Dawn Oliver,  Julie Bundock, Liz martin, Sue Wynne Jones, Kath Wright,  Katie Noon, Susan Mortique, Geraldine Wadsworth, Bridie Glennon, Clare Watson, Janet Cline, Janet Brightmore.

Apologies: Thank you to all that sent apologies.

1. Welcome to everyone.

2. Matters Arising from previous minutes:

a. Children’s Starting points read ‘Staring’ instead of ‘Starting’.

b. Janet has received NO complaints about booking on courses but can be contacted on 07891949374.

3. Last meeting’s minutes proposed by Dawn Oliver, seconded by Katie Noon.

4. Committee re-Election Chat: Christine’s term of office will finish in September but she is willing to stand for one more year unless someone is willing to take on the role of chair. The role of secretary is also available for election in September. We discussed ceasing our affiliation to the NCMA and it was agreed that Christine would look into making this happen, so we could continue electing officers year upon year.

5. Feedback from Funday/ARM: The feedback we had on the day and since has been very positive. We would like to thank BOSCMA member Hayley Townley for a lovely morning. The next Funday will be held in June 2012. BOSCMA funded four members to attend the NCMA Annual Regional Meeting held in Blackpool in May. The feedback they gave was very positive and they recommended that members try to attend this event next year.

6. New ‘Drop-in’ on Reddish Vale:  Christine and Helen went on a site visit to Reddish Vale Country Park accompanied by the head ranger. It was decided that we should offer a ‘Drop-in’ session on the last Wednesday of every month from 9:30 till 11;15 for any BOSCMA childminder who would like to take part in ‘Outdoor Play’ experiences. The venue is totally buggy friendly and there are toilets nearby. The first session will take place on Wednesday 28th September; meet at the Visitors centre for 9:30. A flyer will be circulated nearer the time.

7. Safeguarding: Input for courses: Some members asked why they had to do the whole course again rather than just do a ‘top-up’. Janet explained the reasons as things could change regarding safeguarding and childminders need to be kept aware of any changes.

8. Training courses: The Observation, Assessment and Planning course has been split into two separate courses: The new observation course is going to be aimed at new childminders and the Assessment and Planning course will have links to EYFS and Next Steps as these were issues highlighted in recent OfSTED inspections. Another OfSTED recommendation was the need for more Outdoor Learning. Funding for Outdoor Learning is limited so please make use of the Reddish Vale Drop-in sessions. Members were asked what courses they would like, and they suggested Portage courses, especially ones where childminders could make things to take back to their settings and how to adapt toys for disabled children. Members also said they were willing to contribute towards the cost of these courses.

9. Pre-Reg Powerpoint: Christine has been asked to create a ‘Powerpoint’ presentation for the childminding pre-registration course. She asked permission to use photos taken at Fundays; no objections made.

10. Internet Safety/Social Networking Sites: Please think carefully before making parents your friends on social networking sites like ‘Facebook’ etc. The meeting agreed that it is seen to be ‘unprofessional’ to have parents as friends as you may be breeching confidentiality about the children in your care. There have also been issues over childminders making derogatory comments about other childminders.

11. Early Years Team: Janet informed us that there have been seventy inspections since Christmas. OfSTED particularly picked up on issues around: partnerships with other agencies; SEFs; Observation, Planning and Assessment and Tracking and Learning Journeys. Tracking sheets are available from the Stockport Early Years team. The childminding team will be moving from the Dialstone Centre to Stopford House on 22nd August. Janet also mentioned that there is an over-supply of childminders in certain parts of Stockport, so they will be reducing the number of pre-registration courses from four to two a year.

12. AOB:  a) An Australian ‘Daycare’ provider called Lorraine Kirk will be visiting Stockport on Monday 25th July. She will be spending the morning with Christine and if anybody would like to meet her to discuss how ‘Daycare’ and ‘Childminding’ differs, we will be having lunch in Bramhall Park café at around 12:30pm that day.

b) The issue of Stockport’s Toy Library was raised and questions were asked about the closure and what was going to happen to all the toys. Janet informed the meeting that the Toy Library had to close as the building is going to be knocked down and they were unable to secure another facility. According to the rules of their constitution, toys had to be passed on to another charitable organisation, and this is what has happened.  Dawn raised the issue of the ‘Children’s Centre Statement’. It seems some childminders are being turned away from groups, and some were not. However the Children’s Centres brief is to target vulnerable families but some centres will let childminders attend groups if they have spaces.

Next meeting

Will be the AGM

On Wednesday 21st September- 7pm

St Mary’s Church Hall - Reddish