Providers of Childcare
How do I become an Ofsted Registered Childminder on the Wirral?
If you want to care for children within your own home for more than two hours a day, you will be required to register with Ofsted. Details on how to do this can be found on the Ofsted website at: https://www.gov.uk/register-childminder-childcare-provider/overview
You will need to think carefully about the impact on your family of caring for children in your home – If you have your own children, how will this affect them?
A briefing power point produced by Ofsted is available with all information relating to the application and registration process – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pre-registration-briefing-for-those-wishing-to-become-childminders
The framework used by all providers of childcare for under-fives is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – all documents relating to this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework–2 – the legal requirements you must meet are contained within the statutory framework.
If you do not have a recently acquired relevant childcare qualification, you will be required to complete training in home based childcare. This is offered by various providers including The Professional Association of Early Years and Childcare (PACEY) https://www.pacey.org.uk/working-in-childcare/childminders/becoming-a-childminder/pre-registration-training-in-england/ or the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA) – https://www.pre-school.org.uk/award-preparing-work-home-based-childcare
You must also complete a 12 hour Paediatric first aid course details can be found at http://www.eyqtraining.co.uk/ or alternatively https://www.wirral.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare/training-childcare-providers
Advice and guidance is provided by the Wirral Early Years Business Support Team. Contact on Telephone number 0151 666 3980 or email [email protected]. The team will provide support right through the Ofsted registration process and will continue until you have your first inspection. Once you are registered you will be able to provide care for funded children. To enable this you will be required to complete some documentation – contact the Early Years Business support Team for more information – Telephone 0151 666 3980 or email [email protected]
A government grant is available for new Ofsted registered childminding provision. This is £500 or £1,000 if you are to care for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) – more information relating to this can be found at https://www.childcarebusinessgrants.com/
You also need to be aware that although Ofsted may register you to care for up to 6 children, under Wirral planning law you are not able to care for more than 4 children, on a commercial basis within your home unless you obtain planning permission. More information can be found at https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-permission or contact 606 2000 and ask for the planning department.
The HMRC provides free online seminars relating to being a self-employed childminder – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/webinars-emails-and-videos-if-youre-self-employed#10
How to become a funding provider
Request to become an Early Years Funding Provider by emailing [email protected] with the following information:
- Name
- Company name
- Telephone number
- Address
- OFSTED registration number
- OFSTED inspection grade (if applicable) and date of last inspection
Once we have received the above information you will be sent a pack. You will need to complete all the forms in the pack and ensure you fully read the agreement before signing. All completed forms will need to be returned to:
Funding Officer, Early Childhood Service, Bromborough Satellite Centre, Gratrix Road, Bromborough, CH62 7BW
Or scanned and emailed to [email protected]
Completed packs will be processed within one month of being received by the Early Childhood Service. You will receive guidance and log in information for the Headcount Provider Portal from Budget Support when processing is completed.
Providers will receive an estimate payment if there application pack is submitted 6 weeks before the start of term with estimate numbers being submitted two weeks before the start of term. Estimate payments are usually made the week before term starts.
Any non-financial queries can be directed to the Early Years Team through 0151 666 3980 / [email protected]. Financial queries can be directed to Budget Support on 0151 666 5533/4649.
2 year old funding providers need to have a current Ofsted grading of met, good or outstanding.
3 and 4 year old funding providers need to have a current Ofsted grading of met, good or outstanding.
Useful Links
http://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
http://www.wirral.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare
Funding Payments
Estimate payments
Providers will receive an indicative budget at the start of the financial year which details the estimated funding you will receive in the current financial year. This is based on the terms in the previous financial year.
As the implementation of the provider portal progresses, it is intended that settings will be able to upload their current data in order to calculate a more realistic estimate for the coming term. Estimate payments are usually made the week before term starts.
Actual payments
To receive your actual payment headcount data will need to be submitted. Wirral is currently running two headcount processes, as hardcopy process and an electronic process. The two processes will run until WBC can be certain the electronic data submitted is accurate.
Hardcopy process: At the start of each term you will receive a headcount pack which needs to be completed and returned by the date stated within the pack.
Electronic process: At headcount time providers will be issued with a task on the provider portal which allows them to input and submit a headcount claim for children attending their settings at headcount.
It is possible to commence inputting onto the portal as soon as the task has been made available to you, however you should not submit your headcount until the headcount date.
As the implementation of the provider portal progresses, it is intended that providers will be able to access more in-depth information regarding how their payment has been calculated.
The portal is also used as a means of communication between Children’s Services and providers, although it is not possible to reply to any emails that are distributed in this way.
You will receive payment based on the children who are accessing funded hours within your provision on 5th October 2017, 18th January 2018 and 17th May 2018. For further information relating to payments, funding rates and estimate payments contact Budget Support on 0151 666 5533/4649.
Provider cluster meeting or briefing booking process
We now have a standardised booking in form and method of booking onto a cluster meeting or briefing. Invitations will be sent out from the [email protected] email box. Interested parties are only to book on via email to [email protected] with the following information:
- Name of attendee or attendees
- Setting name
- Email address for setting
Within 48 hours of receiving of booking request you will receive a confirmation email from the FIS mailbox. Providers will only be officially booked on when they have received a confirmation email.
Cluster Meetings:
Meetings will start at 6:30pm and finish by 8:30pm (at the latest)
Autumn term
Thursday 2nd November 2017, venue Seacombe Children’s Centre, St Paul’s Road, Seacombe, CH44 7AN
Tuesday 7th November 2017, venue Pensby Children’s Centre, Fishers Lane, Pensby CH61 8DA
Wednesday 8th November 2017, venue The Lauries, 142 Claughton Road, Birkenhead CH41 6EY
Spring term
Tuesday 27th February 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Wednesday 28th February 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Thursday 8th March 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Summer term
Tuesday 12th June 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Wednesday 13th June 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Thursday 21st June 2018, venue To Be Confirmed
Training
Training provided by the Local Authority can be found here (Spreadsheet)
EYQ training can be accessed via this link http://eyqtraining.co.uk/Training-Courses
SEND Information
For all information regarding Special Educational Needs Disability please click here.