Magazine magazine of the ofProfessional the professional Association association for Childcare for childcare and and Earlyearly Yearsyears | December/January | april/may 20132014
BRAND NEW FACE EXPLORE WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LOOK PROFESSIONALPLAY ASSOCIATION INDOOR FABULOUS FESTIVE FUN FOR YOUR SETTING
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07/11/2013 18:23
Reduce cost, not quality
Newspaper headlines continue to bemoan comparatively high costs of childcare in the UK and childcare was a hot topic at all the party conferences. Yet despite all this attention and the fact that the UK Government spends a relatively high proportion of public funds on early years education and care, the economics of childcare are often a misunderstood area.
Written by Liz Bayram
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This is an indisputably important issue. Not only does high-quality childcare and early learning help to ensure all children receive the best start in life (in particular to improve the life chances of our most disadvantaged children) it is also key to lifting families out of poverty and helping more women into work. As recent research from the Women’s Business Council argues, inadequate provision of childcare can block women’s access to the work place. With the average cost of a nursery place rising by 23 per cent in the last four years, how can we turn this around? The answer is certainly not by reducing the remuneration of childcare professionals. The most recent salary and earnings research that PACEY conducted shows that over half (57 per cent) of childminders earn less than £15,000 a year. Meanwhile nursery workers’ salaries start at £10,000, with nannies tending to earn more with salaries from £26,000. Whichever way you look at it though, many childcare professionals earn
08/11/2013 16:28
To truly tackle the number of families struggling with the cost of childcare, we need to reflect on why childcare is key A wide range of literature now also supports the theory that early interventions and quality childcare can have a huge impact on children’s prospects in school, and beyond. As a professional
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association we are pleased to see the existing free allowance of childcare extended to a new cohort of the most deserving 2-yearolds (so long as it is delivered in high-quality settings) and new manifestos that pledge to extend the numbers of hours available to parents. This is all to be welcomed as part of recognising that childcare is critical to families and wider society. But more needs to be done to increase the recognition and value we place on the people working in childcare, providing safe and high-quality play and learning experiences for our youngest children. PACEY will be working between now and the next election to support all parties to ensure that, alongside plans to tackle the cost of childcare for families, they are also focused on developing a clear plan for how the childcare profession will receive the training and continuous development it needs to provide outstanding childcare for the children in their settings. n
POLICY
significantly less than those working in equivalent caring roles in education, health and social sectors. Often politicians look abroad for solutions, examining how other countries tackle the childcare economic dilemma. Yet this can be misleading. As two studies published earlier this year acknowledge, it is difficult to make true comparisons between the countries because they are subsidised in different manners: some funding goes directly to parents, others via employers, providers or various forms of government. To truly tackle the number of families struggling with the cost of childcare, we need to reflect on why childcare is key. It drives the economy and, as our recent report into school readiness has shown, helps children to be not only school ready but life ready too. Childcare – alongside strong parenting – sets the foundations for intellectual growth and affords children the best start they deserve in life.
To read this and other articles by Liz Bayram, visit www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ liz-bayram
...more needs to be done to increase the recognition and value we place on the people working in childcare
CHILDREN ENGLAND MANIFESTO
Children England and its members are writing a manifesto in an effort to unite the childcare sector and ensure that children, young people and families are a high priority for the next UK Government. Cordia Lewis, PACEY’s Head of Policy and Communications, is Chair of the Early Years Policy Working Group, which will discuss and shortlist early years policy suggestions. To submit a policy idea, visit www.childrenengland. org.uk/policy-suggestions The deadline is 30 November.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS What do you think is the key to quality childcare? Email us at magazine@pacey.org.uk Visit us at local.pacey.org.uk Tweet us at @PACEYChildcare Share with us at www.facebook.com/ paceylocal
08/11/2013 16:28
Making it REAL
Raising Early Achievement Literacy
What is Making it REAL training?
Written by Sophie Harmes
Supporting early literacy work with families
PACEY is working with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) on a two year project to promote Raising Early Achievement in Literacy (REAL) training in England. The DfE funded project covers a range of activities for use in childcare settings and offers advice on working with families to promote literacy in early years.
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The Early Childhood Unit at the NCB has developed Making it REAL training following a successful partnership project with the School of Education at the University of Sheffield and Oldham and Sheffield local education authorities. The training is based on the ORIM framework developed by Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Peter Hannon from the University of Sheffield. The ORIM framework is centred on four ways that parents can help their children’s learning (see below). Families will be doing these things to some degree already:
Opportunities – giving children
opportunities by providing materials etc Recognition – recognising their progress by valuing those small steps Interaction – playing and talking to them Model – acting as models for children to copy
How does the training work? A facilitated training day provides meaningful and practical activities for use in childcare settings, and
offers valuable advice on working in partnership with families. By the end of March 2014, Making it REAL training will have been delivered across four regional events. The first event was held in London during July and recent events took place in Birmingham and Leeds, with a high number of childcare professionals in attendance. You can read some feedback from the Birmingham and Leeds events below. In addition to these regional events, our PACEY Local Facilitators and project teams have arranged REAL training sessions in their local areas. Further regional events will take place during 2014 and there will also be an opportunity for childcare professionals to organise smaller events in their local areas.
Why is PACEY involved?
PACEY’s knowledge and expertise in the childcare sector enables us to provide an insight as to which aspects of the training will be particularly important for childminders, nannies and nursery workers. PACEY is also raising awareness of Making it REAL training amongst childcare professionals.
How can I get involved?
If you are a childminder, nanny or nursery worker in the early years sector and you would like to attend an event, keep an eye out for announcements and updates on the PACEY Local website at
A Making it REAL training event
local.pacey.org.uk If you are interested in holding a training session in your local area from April 2014, please email ECUadmin@ncb.org.uk or call 020 7833 6807. To run an event, organisers must be able to provide a venue and attract at least 20 participants. Read more at www.peal.org.uk/real.aspx Shirley Jackson, Childcare Advisor for PACEY, facilitated a Making it REAL event in Leeds: “The trainer was excellent and very well informed. She had been a childminder, too, so it meant attendees could relate to her easily. Providers shared great examples of
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LOCAL MAKE Lisa Constable won Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year 2013
PACEY Local update Our active community forums cover many aspects of childcare, such as childcare in politics, child development, professional development, and creative ideas. There is also a weekly roundup in the news section, of recent activity published. Recent PACEY Local highlights include:
activities and resources they use in their settings, which I noticed lots of people writing notes on.” Childcare professionals who attended the Birmingham event said the following: “There were thought-provoking moments and ideas” “The ORIM/environmental print session gave me ideas for my setting” “The whole day was inspiring and informative” “The course has given me some new ideas to use when working with vulnerable families.” “Excellent course, I would recommend to others” n
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Trainer of the Year blog Lisa Constable, early years consultant and trainer, recently won Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year 2013 award. She blogged about winning the award and what it means to her. Topsy and Tim go to a PACEY Local meeting Sarah Edwards, PACEY’s Volunteer Officer, went along to a book signing to meet Jean Adamson, author of the well-known Topsy and Tim children’s books. The signing was arranged by Cambridgeshire Facilitator Sue Smith and was attended by a number of children who thoroughly enjoyed the day! PACEY Local book give away! We have some signed Topsy and Tim books to give away to four lucky readers. To be in
with a chance of winning, tell us what your favourite Topsy and Tim book is and why, in the ‘Leave a Comment’ section on PACEY Local. For terms and conditions, visit local.pacey. org.uk/topsy-and-tim
A facilitated training day provides meaningful and practical activities for use in childcare settings
Jean Adamson with her Topsy and Tim books. Photo by Sue Smith
Your voice, your views PACEY Local is an increasingly popular platform for sharing views and opinions regarding national and local policy on childcare. To find out more, visit the Childcare in Politics Forum on PACEY Local: local.pacey.org.uk/childcarein-politics Guest bloggers! Keep an eye out for the new ‘Blogs’ section on PACEY Local. It features news and views from childcare experts and professionals.
PACEY LOCAL PACEY Local is our online community platform for early years and childcare professionals. If you do not already have an account, you can join PACEY Local for free to engage with peers, share ideas and join discussions. 1. Visit local.pacey.org.uk 2. Click ‘Join’ 3. Register your details 4. Receive your joining email 5. Explore, discuss and share!
08/11/2013 15:17
“If the children don’t like it or aren’t using it – put it away,” says Sarah Neville, registered childminder from Knutsford in Cheshire. She is constantly reviewing the resources she has available for the children to make sure the space they play and work in is as clutter-free as possible. “Following training from Elizabeth Jarman on communication friendly spaces, I took a good look at my play space,” explains Sarah. “I had a computer table that no one used and a bookcase crammed with books that no one looked at.” She decluttered the whole area, getting rid of the computer table and bookcase and added a soft rug. Sarah now has a laptop computer that can be used anywhere; and a display bookcase
with a few carefully selected forward-facing books.
Declutter the book area Some books are kept the same for consistency, whilst others will change depending on the children’s interests or the season or learning topic. The books are now well used and spark the children’s imaginations. “I watch them come in and spot a new book. They get me to sit down with them as they make themselves comfortable,” says Sarah. After sharing the book, inspired by the children’s choice, Sarah will get the puppets out or sing a relevant song. “It’s so wonderful to make a difference in this way, just by changing the way my resources are laid out,” she says.
Sarah also found a bedside cabinet at a charity shop and glued a Lego board to the top of it. It is now used as a space divider, creating areas for children to sit and chat, sleep or play.
It’s your home, too
As a childminder, it can sometimes be tricky to balance the way you want your home to look for your family with the way you use space for the childminding day. Sarah suggests you think about things that can be put away or hidden at the end of the day. For example, a cardboard noticeboard to share information and photos with parents can be folded up and stored behind the sofa. Sarah also suggests, “You don’t need all your resources out
Written by Mel Parks
Making the most of your indoor play space
Inspired by training from Elizabeth Jarman on communication-friendly spaces, outstanding childminder, Sarah Neville, decided it was time to declutter and rearrange her indoor play space. The result was a spacious area where the children can play creatively and calmly.
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12/11/2013 13:10
FEATURE at all times, as long as you follow children’s interests and they are getting a balance of stimulating activities. For example, if they play with sand and water at the drop-in centre you regularly take them to, you don’t always have to have it available at your house.” For childcare professionals who don’t know how to start organising their indoor space, Sarah offers the following advice: “Identify the most important resources and spaces – your continuous provision such as building blocks, home corner, a cosy area with books, and a table for mark-making and crafts. You can then look at the rest of your resources and make decisions, involving the children, about what needs to be available to follow their current interests and learning styles.”
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Letting off steam indoors Sarah has an electronic dance mat, skittles, bean bags, a small parachute and music for when the children don’t want to be outside but want to be active. She says, “Today the children chose their own music, we turned the lights down, blew balloons up and they danced for about an hour. We had a brilliant time!”
Making dens
Having cosy places to play and talk is a feature of Elizabeth Jarman training. Sarah finds that children make cosy dens and play spaces in the most unlikely places. Sarah has a hand-made tripod over which she drapes fabric for a make-shift wigwam. And she stuck some glow-in-the dark stars under a table, which she covers with a blanket and has a supply of torches available.
“The children are fascinated,” she says, “and play quietly in there for ages. Sometimes they even fall asleep!”
Showing off all the activities you do
It is important to demonstrate your wide range of resources and activities to parents and Ofsted or CSSIW inspectors, especially when you have a decluttered, calm space. Sarah and the children make “we have been busy” sheets featuring a selection of photos and children’s comments linked to various areas of provision such as sand, water, outside painting, construction, cooking and outings. Talking about her last Ofsted inspection, Sarah says, “One of the children handed the photo album to the inspector and confidently chatted about how he had helped put the album together.” n
“It’s so wonderful to make a difference, just by changing the way my resources are laid out”
RELEVANT LINKS For more about the work of Elizabeth Jarman and Communication Friendly Spaces, visit www.elizabethjarman training.co.uk
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