I am an experienced childminder of six years with a CACHE level 3 qualification and up-to-date certificates for first aid and food hygiene. I am also involved in ongoing training.
Work in general is getting scarce in my area because over-fives can be catered for by cheaper after-school and holiday clubs, and schools are soon to provide wraparound care.
At the local school and pre-school, my vacancy cards have been covered over with posters within a short period.
A nearby pre-school is also considering providing a holiday club for children aged two to five, and the Government may extend maternity leave.
This leaves only one-year-olds who will need childcare from childminders or nurseries.
A number of nurseries have recently opened nearby. Where then is the work for childminders going to come from ?
The Government guidance to local authorities stated that any new childcare provisions should be planned 'sensitively, so as to assess the impact on existing provision' (Who Minds?, winter 2003).
With such a big campaign to recruit new childminders, why is no-one accountable for encouraging people to become childminders in areas where there is very little childcare work available, even for experienced childminders?
I spoke to a Sure Start employee in September 2004, after six months of fruitless advertising, and she did advise me of a few other places to advertise. But she made it very clear that she didn't want childminders to inform her of their struggle to fill vacancies.
Are there any measures of support in place to enable me to stay in work?
I am aware that bridging grants were available for childminders in disadvantaged areas, but what help, if any, is available in villages such as mine that are not disadvantaged?
Any advice would be gratefully received, as I do not want to lose the job I love.
Diana Scutt, Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex
