The meeting in Derby in March attracted 30 agencies that have all joined the new association. Our numbers have been further swelled by agencies that have contacted us since. Currently we have more than 80 agencies committed to ANA.
REC gave an extremely negative response and implied that these agencies were not committed if they were not prepared to hand over 550 to REC, and that they would fail as a business. But these agencies, many of which have been trading for several years, are run by highly committed professional people who have chosen not to join REC for a number of reasons.
I had hoped that REC might have applauded the initiative, as these agencies are committed and driven by a need for higher standards. REC might even have considered approaching ANA to discuss ways of providing differing packages of services that ANA members could buy into, if they wished, without buying full membership.
How sad it is that a so-called representative body of the industry has slammed those who do not wish to join it.
ANA is to be run on a solely voluntary basis. The role of the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses will be to support, organise, advise and direct members to sources of information, other organisations and services.
Already we have begun discussions with a number of companies, negotiating discount insurance and other crucial services required by today's nanny agency.
Agencies that join ANA pay no fee and can expect a high level of support and encouragement from PANN and all the other bodies involved. It is hoped that it will become a truly supportive network.
Tricia Pritchard Professional officer, PANN
