Useful Websites
The following are links to, or contact details for, membership organisations and government departments which may helpful to providers of childcare, both new and long-established. Ofsted - the regulatory and inspection body for childcare in England and Wales. The website offers downloadable forms for providers (e.g. DC2, DC2A), and the opportunity to order Ofsted publications. Parents can access the latest inspection reports on providers. http://www.ofsted.gov.uk Sure Start - is the government initiative bringing together early education, health, childcare and family support, with the aim of providing the best start in live for every child. http://www.surestart.gov.uk Childcarelink - a website for parents to access information on local childcare providers, and advice on choosing childcare. Prospective providers can us this to check on current provision in the area. http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk Pre-school Learning Alliance - the PLA is an umbrella organisation of over 17,000 pre-school providers. They offer training as well as support to providers. The Southampton branch has an office in Northam, telephone 023 8033 7067. http://pre-school.org.uk 4 Children - formerly Kids Club Network, this organisation is particularly concerned with the provision of out of school care. http://4children.org.uk NCMA - the National Childminding Association is a charitable membership organisation for childminders in England and Wales. It provides support and advice, and offers training and useful publications. There is a local support network in Southampton. The local NCMA office, at Shirley Warren may be contacted on 023 8078 9486. http://ncma.org.uk Southampton Childminders' Association - the local membership organisation for childminders in the city. SCMA offers training courses for new childminders, help and advice, and runs drop-in groups for local childminders. The Co-ordinator may be contacted at their office in Northam: 023 8033 2555. The Childcare Approval Scheme - has been set up to offer voluntary approval for childcarers who do not need to be registered under Ofsted regulations. It verifies that an individual has a recognised childcare qualification and carries out an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. Parents using an approved childcarer may be able to access the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. http://www.childcareapprovalscheme.co.uk PANN - is the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses, (part of the Professional Association of Teachers) and is the union for day nursery staff and nannies. they provide information about employment rules for nannies and nanny agencies. http://www.pat.org.uk/index.cfm?param=content.pann.htm Learn Direct - a national training provider, offering childcare courses, and advice on training. http://www.learndirect.co.uk NEC - National Extension College - offers distance learning courses in childcare. http://www.nec.ac.uk Open University - provides a variety of distance learning courses at all levels relating to childcare and child development. http://www.open.ac.uk Children and Families Service - part of Southampton City Council, covers all aspects of services for children and families with children - including Child Protection issues. The phone line is open 8.30 am - 5 pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30 pm - 4.30 pm Friday: 023 8083 3336 http://www.southampton.gov.uk/socialcare/children-families/default.asp
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