Waltham Forest offer Ofsted registered childminders a core offer of support whilst working within the borough through the Core Offer to Ofsted Registered Childminders.
For any further queries, please contact earlyyears@walthamforest.gov.uk
The main elements of the core offer to childminders are
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference
― John Wooden, American basketball coach
Ofsted Registered childminders:
Waltham Forest offer registered childminders a core offer of support whilst working within the borough through.
Active Engagement Plan (AEP) meeting
An Active Engagement Plan (AEP) meeting will be with your Development Officer and will take place where you care for children and when you have children present. The meeting involves a three hour support visit and will look at all aspects of your provision, including your interactions with children, a planned activity observation and paperwork. You will receive a detailed plan highlighting strengths and areas to consider for development. The plan aims to serve as a self-empowering, working tool to support your continuous progress.
These appointments will be with your named Development officer and will last around half an hour. They offer additional, targeted support to improve specific aspects of your childminding practice.
Drop-ins and Briefing Sessions
These occur weekly (term time only) at three venues across the Borough. Here you have the opportunity to network with other childminders and share good practice or solutions to everyday issues. You'll be able to meet with other professionals and join in regular briefing /professional development sessions as well as have the chance to get answers to quick questions from Development Officers. For more information dates and times visit WF Traded Services.
For Childminders judged less than good, including Not Met there will be a team around the setting meeting. This takes place shortly after the Ofsted report is published and is a formal visit by the Development Officer and the Childminding Team Leader. This support is to address Ofsted actions and recommendations and a written Focus Improvement Plan (FIP) will be agreed. This is followed up three months later to ensure progress and provide further support.
Childminding check in visits (EY Recovery Plan)
The Childminding Check In Visit programme is a supportive initiative developed in response to COVID and forms part of the EYs Recovery Plan. The main purpose is to:
This is delivered by the Childminding Development Officers.
Criteria for Childminding Check In Visit:
The Priority criteria for Autumn 2021 and Spring 2022 term requires Childminders to have:
The aim of each supportive visit is to:
Useful resources: