Childminders Information

Siolta: the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education

Siolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education was published in 2006 and comprises of 16 standards in relation to quality in childcare settings

For the first time Ireland has a Quality Framework for those who work with young children from birth to six years. The manuals include the principles of Siolta , the standards and components of quality for the early years sector. For further information please contact cmao@roscommonchildcare.ie or contact the office on 094 9622540. Further information can also be accessed by contacting www.Siolta.ie

Aistear The Early Childhood Cirriculum Framework

Aistear:The Early Childhood Cirriculum Framework was published in 2009 and has four elements:

Principles and Themes

Guidelines for good Practice

User guide

Key Messages from research Papers

It is an excellent resource for childminders, more information available on NCCA website

Quality Awareness Programme

Background

As part of the Childminders Development Grant, a Quality Awareness Programme (QAP) targeted specifically at Childminders will be provided by CLCC. This course has been designed primarily for those who are hoping to avail of grants to enhance the quality of their childminding service, but is open to all Childminders. The programme will focus on the:

Needs of Children
Protection of the Child
Good Procedures and Working Relationships

Objectives of the Quality Awareness Programme(QAP)

Its main purpose is to support Childminders in the delivery of a quality and professional childcare service. The main objectives of the QAP will be to:

Provide participants with an awareness of the issues involved in the provision of a quality childminding service
Enhance the knowledge, skills and professional status of Childminders
Develop the Childminders confidence and motivation
Encourage networking with Childminders in the locality

Course Content

The QAP is an introductory /refresher course on what is involved in childminding. It may be regarded as a stepping stone to other more comprehensive training programmes. It consists of 6 modules:

Module 1: Why Choose Childminding?

Role of the Childminder
Responsibilities
Introduction to relevant legislation
Building and maintaining essential relationships
Identifying and addressing difficulties
Valuing childminding
Qualities in the environment
Communication

Module 2: Child Development – an overview

Developmental patterns
Physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional and social development
Childminders contribution to the development of children
Promoting acceptable behaviour
Problem solving and negotiating
Developing and agreeing a Discipline Policy with parents and older children

Module 3: Hygiene, Health and Safety

Home Safety
Outside the home
Good hygiene practice
Fire Safety
Emergency Procedures
Caring for a sick / unwell child
First Aid Information

Module 4: Well-being of Children

Nutritional needs
Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion
Discussing values, prejudice and building self-esteem
Child Welfare and Protection
Relevant guidelines and legislation
Childminders responsibilities to children, parents, self and own family
Caring for a child who has been abused or neglected

Module 5: Financial

Tax requirements
Write offs for tax
Keeping effective records and book keeping
What to charge for services
Holidays/sickness/bank Holidays

Module 6: Stress Management

Question and Answer session
Play activities
Stress Management
Time Management
Taking time out
Evaluation

Childminders can also avail of any other training organized by RCCC. Please refer to our Training Section.

Support Pack

Roscommon County Childcare Committee have developed a support pack for childminders. It details the process of setting up your Childminding service and includes sample policies and procedures. This pack is available by contacting the office on 094 9622540.

For further information please contact Childminding Advisory Officer cmao@roscommonchildcare.ie phone 094 9622540.

Garda Vetting for Childminders

Garda Vetting is available to those who childmind in the home through Barnardos Vetting Service, which is a stand-alone service of Barnardos, based in Cork City, the contact details are: Barnardos Garda Vetting Service, The Bowling Green, White Street, Cork Telehone: 021 4547060 or email (vetting@barnardos.ie)

Swine Flu – Information for Childminders

Swine flu is a mild to moderate flu – similar to flu that goes around most winters, average duration – 7 days
It can be passed on by germs in the air or on surfaces. On confirmed diagnosis, it should be notified as “Influenza-like illness” by a doctor to the HSE.

Treatment – as flu

Symptoms like flu – and may include any of the following :

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Bluish skin colour
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the person does not want to be held or touched
Flu-like symptoms may improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

Now is the time to pay careful attention to your hygiene standards, your policy and procedures, particularly

No spitting!
Avoid close face-to-face contact
Careful hand washing and drying with anti-bacterial liquid soap
Providing tissues for coughs and sneezes
Explain to children that they can minimise the spread of infection by turning
their head away from others and sneezing into their tissues or their elbow, if a
sudden sneeze happens – germs are less easily transmitted from soft surfaces
than from hard surfaces
Demonstrate how to use tissues to contain the germs released when coughing
or sneezing and how to dispose of them carefully
“Catch it!, Bin it! Kill it” followed by more hand-washing and drying
Use a hands free pedal bin with a lid
Wipe down common surfaces such as door handles, taps, at least twice daily
Remove soft cuddly toys and disinfect plastic toys daily
Print posters from the website below and display them
If you have the flu or need to nurse somebody who is infected – wear a mask

Remind parents of your infectious illness exclusion policy and ask them to keep children at home if they or any of their family members show flu-like symptoms.

If you feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms – don’t be heroic! Advise parents, and make your usual substitute arrangements or close for a week.

Isolate any family member in your household who shows flu-like symptoms and advise parents of minded children of this situation.

Isolate and provide agreed first aid to a child who shows symptoms, until parents collect the child (and any siblings) at first available opportunity and advise all parents that symptoms have occurred in your minded child/ren. Be watchful for symptoms in yourself or in other children or your family members.

Further information is available on www.swineflu.ie HSE information number 1850 24 1850