Celebrating the life-changing work of Northumberland’s Childminders
17 May 2024
Click here to find out more about becoming a childminder on our Early Years recruitment page
This week is National Childminding Week and an opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing childminders and celebrate what you do to help children shine and reach their potential.
As the Government rolls out its biggest ever expansion of childcare support for families, we’re looking for more childminders across Northumberland to join us.
Start-up grants are available along with support from the council’s Early Years team for anyone considering setting up their own childminding business.
Next month, the team are hosting two drop-in events and an online virtual session if anyone would like to chat to other childminders, speak to members of the Early Years team and find out more about this rewarding career.
The in-person sessions are taking place at Hexham and Alnwick Family Hub and children are welcome.
Eligible working parents in England can now apply for 15 hours childcare for a child aged 9 months old and over.
It’s the latest stage in the rollout of the Government’s expansion to childcare support for families.
Since April 2024, hundreds of thousands of families have been able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare for their two-year-olds.
Now, eligible working parents can now apply for 15 hours of government-funded childcare for children who are aged between nine-months and 23-months-old.
From September 2025, this will be extended further so eligible working parents with children between 9 months up to school age can access 30 hours childcare.
Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “Childminding is a very special role and essential work to support children and their families in our communities.
"Our early years and childcare providers are the absolute cornerstone of our education system. The impact of the learning and development a child experiences during their first five years will last a lifetime.
"Our childminders also often continue to provide wraparound care that is so important to families.
“The expansion of childcare support is going to be game-changing for many families helping them juggle the challenges of work and family life.
“We need to grow our early years workforce to meet that demand and our childminders are a big part of that.
“For anyone thinking of starting a new career or returning to the profession, our team are here to support you and these events are a great way to meet people already working in the sector who can share lots of advice.”
If you would like to know more about becoming a childminder, head over to our Early Years recruitment page to find out more.
Drop in events
Alnwick Professional Childminder Network
Monday 3rd June 2024
13:00-15:00
Alnwick Family Hub
An informal drop-in session hosted by your Early Years and Childcare Performance Partner - come along to have a chat and get answers to any childminding queries. Children welcome.
Hexham Professional Childminder Network
Tuesday 18th June 2024
09:30-11:30
Hexham Family Hub
An informal drop-in session hosted by your Early Years and Childcare Performance Partner - come along to have a chat and get answers to any childminding queries. Children welcome.
Virtual childminder information session
Interested in childminding?
Friday 14th June 2024
09:30-11:00
Microsoft Teams
An informal online session hosted by Early Years and Childcare Performance Partners and an established Northumberland based childminder - come along to have a chat and find out more about start up grants, support from the Early Years team and how to take your first steps towards this rewarding career!
Click here to find out more about becoming a childminder on our Early Years recruitment page