C o m m u n i t y
Childcare was an Issue C
Not Anymore as one Station Helps Itself
hildcare is, for those who rely on it, a big issue. It’s important to get it right and can be a huge challenge to parents especially when they
have just arrived at a new location and need that childcare NOW! Here Kathryn Lucky explains how those at RAF Lyneham took the initiative.
We, as the Lyneham Childminders Co- ordinators are a voluntary service. We took the initiative and tackled the problem head on and hopefully for those who are posted to Lyneham it is a gift. The co-ordinatiors make that essential link between childminders and parents looking for childcare.
The group has many qualified childminders and more and more are joining in. Some are looking ahead and working towards
their NVQ Level 3 in childcare and all are using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework which is compulsory from September 08.
The Co-ordinators also run events and have been able to organise several courses to actively promote the further training childminders are expected to do. Using the fantastic facility of the HIVE we are able to invite trainers to come to us. ‘Birth to 3 matters’ and ‘Child Protection Level 1 and 2’ are just some of the courses we have been able offer. We have also invited the local health visitor to talk us through the facts and myths of childhood illnesses.
We have held children’s parties, the last one coincided with the Station Commander ’s visit to the HIVE and we would like to thank Group Captain Neville very much for sparing the time to join the party, the children felt very at ease in his presence.
The childminders at Lyneham work closely with the crèche, pre-schools and primary school and this link-up scheme is being promoted to allow schools to hold lists of childminders with vacancies for parents who enquire. The Lyneham primary school runs a breakfast club so hopefully families who wish for some kind of childcare are well catered for. And to complete the service, the Co-ordinators can provide parents with information and telephone numbers of professional agencies. Parents should remember to give themselves plenty of time to find childcare and build up a good relationship with their childminders.
Lucky Lyneham to have such an inspired practice!
RAF FF note: We now understand that some units employ Childcare Co-ordinators locally. Does anyone know about this practice?
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
Autumn 2008
33
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