Childminding Matters Conference 2008

20th Conference success!

Childminding Matters' 20th Annual Conference took place at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Norwich on 17th May, and was a runaway success, not only because over 100 people attended but because Childminding Matters was able to have such a famous keynote speaker!

Our Chair, Mike Hanby, opened the proceedings with an address on the tremendous amount of work that the organisation had accomplished in the last year.

Childminding Matters was delighted that Jennie Lindon agreed to be this year’s keynote speaker and deliver two workshops. Jennie is a well renowned chartered psychologist with 30 years' experience working with early years, educational and play services for children and families. Jennie has had nearly thirty books published and writes for a range of early years magazines including Nursery World and Child Care. Her key note speech on 'The importance of the emotional environment for young children's learning' was inspiring as well as informative.

In addition to Jennie’s workshops, four other workshops were offered during the day:

• The process of attachment within early childhood - theory and practice.
• DIY resources to support EYFS (treasure baskets and story sacks)
• Childminders Observing Children
• Show and Tell (how to demonstrate your professionalism to parents & inspectors)

Evaluations for the workshops showed that all were extremely well received.

Conference delegates also had the opportunity to buy resources from many stalls, enjoyed a delicious lunch and even had a goody bag to take home!

Childminding Matters are very grateful to the Ramada Hotel, Hornbeam Accountancy, Broadland Aerial and Satellite Services, Bennett’s Electrical, Haven Gt Yarmouth and Computer Assist for their generous contributions and to all who supported the event.

All in all, it was a wonderful event, providing a superb opportunity for childminders, colleagues and parents to meet up and to celebrate childminding whilst also promoting the important role childminders continues to play for parents, children and the community.