South Norfolk Childminding Cluster

Network Co-ordinator: South-West Norfolk (Thetford, Watton and Swaffham)
Wendy Saunders
01842 750140
email: wendy.saunders@childmindingmatters.org.uk

Network Co-ordinator: Rest of South Norfolk
Claire Saye
01379 652780
email: claire.saye@childmindingmatters.org.uk

The aim of the South Cluster of the Norfolk Childminding Network is to provide high quality registered childcare to everyone in South Norfolk. The Network Childminders are recruited and assessed for their knowledge and good working practice meeting the National Childminding Association’s “ Children Come First” Quality childminding standards. Almost all of our childminders have NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Education and we have a number of accredited childminders offering Early Education Places for 3 and 4 year olds, funded by the Nursery Education Scheme..

For Childminders:

All registered Network childminders are provided with :
• Validation of the high quality care they offer
• One to One support from a Network Co-ordinator
• Peer support from Network Co-ordinators
• An individual training plan
• Sickness, holiday and emergency cover
• A vacancy-matching scheme

For Parents:

High quality childminding on your doorstep can be flexible and arranged to suit your needs. Network Childminders can provide:
• Care for babies
• Pre-school care and education for children in their Early Years
• Childcare for children with disabilities or additional needs
• Out of school and holiday care for children of school age
• All your family’s childcare needs with one childminder

We have Toy Library’s available for both South and South West Clusters so childminders can borrow toys and equipment to enhance the experiences for the children in their care.

Network Support Meetings are available regularly to support childminders to provide a variety of opportunities for children to enjoy and also to support childminders through changes in legislation and guidance. Daytime meetings are for childminders and their minded children to enjoy activities centred on the Early Years Foundation Stage. Evening meetings are for childminders, training and guest speakers. Please contact the Network Co-ordinators for details.

We work closely with the Early Years, Childcare and Extended Schools teams within South Norfolk to provide high quality childcare to all families.

South Norfolk Cluster Support meetings:

As meeting for all network childminders in the South and South West will be held on 2nd April – 9.30am to 11.30am at Thetford Children’s Centre, Kingsway, IP24 3DY

These next dates are for open to all childminders in the area as Childminding Matters aims to support all childminders and offer advice on a range of areas relating to childminding, including the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Ofsted Self Evaluation Form.

Next meeting dates all from 9.30am to 11.30am:

All to be held at the Taylor Road Residents Association meeting room, Taylor Road, Diss, IP22 4BD

All childminders and children welcome, come along for a play and chat. Please ring or email Network Coordinator Claire Saye direct on 01379 652780 / claire.saye@childmindingmatters.org.uk to let me know if you are coming.

If you would like more details of the above trainings and / or would like to attend the trainings please contact me direct on 01379 652780 or email me claire.saye@childmindingmatters.org.uk

South West Cluster Support Meetings dates

Group meetings are held regularly and all childminders and children are welcome to come along to play and chat - to find out more please ring or email Network Co-ordinator Wendy Saunders on 01842 750140
e-mail wendy.saunders@childmindingmatters.org.uk

If interested please contact:

Wendy Saunders (Thetford, Watton and Swaffham) - 01842 750140
e-mail wendy.saunders@childmindingmatters.org.uk

Claire Saye (Rest of South Norfolk) - 01379 652780
e-mai claire.saye@childmindingmatters.org.uk

If you would like more details about the support meetings or if you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact me on 01379 652780 or email claire.saye@childmindingmatters.org.uk