Supporting Childminders: My first blog

So bear with me, I have never written a blog before, or at least not for myself.
There is so much happening at the moment however that I feel the need to put pen to paper, or rather finger to keyboard. 
The coming weeks are going to be testing times for everyone. For Childminders, we are faced with the stark options of closing our doors for the foreseeable future and coping with no income or staying open to provide care for essential workers or vulnerable children, potentially putting ourselves and our own families at risk in doing so. It is an unenviable decision to have to make, not helped by lack of clarity from the DfE, including tardy guidance that seemingly changes by the hour.
The current position appears to be that:

• All children who can possibly be cared for at home should be. They must not attend childcare settings or school UNLESS they are the children of people on the Government's list of key workers or are classed as 'vulnerable and there is no other option available to them.
• Provision is being made for children of certain essential 'key workers' as set out in guidance issued by the Government today. They are to be offered places in their schools or childcare setting where this is offered, or in alternative local provision where not. Local Authorities are collating lists of settings who are offering this service and will be directing parents accordingly.
• Unless a setting/childminder is offering care for children in these groups they must close.

What is not clear is whether Childminders can advertise emergency spaces to new clients on the key worker list or if they can only accept children directed to them by the Local Authority. In the absence of clear guidance many Childminders have taken the decision to make their spaces available directly to parents, until told otherwise, to give as many key workers as possible the security of knowing their child has a safe place to be whilst they work.

For those Childminders who are having to close for all or some of their children this is not just difficult from a financial perspective, it is also a difficult time emotionally.. We develop very close bonds with our minded children and their families and the prospect of not seeing and interacting with the children is painful for many of us. We are also used to being busy and do not always cope well with having time on our hands or being on our own.

There are ways that we can keep in touch with our families that will benefit them and us.

• Exercise and being outdoors are still being recommended as the risk of catching CV-19 outside is much lower and exercise is essential for both our physical and mental health, The National Trust and other organisations have opened up their grounds for free. Consider meeting a family outdoors for a walk (if you are all well and symptom-free). Obviously you need to keep a safe distance from each other whilst doing this!
• Book in a weekly Skype call or Facetime session with the families, or sign up to Zoom. This could just be one family at a time or a conference call with them all.
• Record yourself telling a story or signing a rhyme to share with families
• Put together 'busy bags' or book bundles from your resources to loan to families
• If you don't have one already set up a secret Facebook or Whatsapp group to keep up to date with news
• Some companies are offering free access to home learning resources that you can share with families and the DfE are working with organisations to provide resources to support home learning as part of their Hungry Little Minds campaign. I am hoping to work with Kinderly to develop similar support for their clients and families, including activity and resource ideas

Think about your own well-being during this time. If you or a member of your family have an underlying health condition that puts you at increased risk, you should not feel under pressure to open and offer emergency care. This is currently an optional process and you must not feel guilty for putting your family's safety first.

• Make sure that you get outside every day, even if it's just in your garden or back-yard.
• Sign up to apps such as Headspace and practice meditation, or look at online yoga and fitness classes.
• Get your paperwork and accounts up to date, if they aren't already. It's a liberating feeling!
• Use the time to play with your own children and build your family bonds. Read, watch and play together - blow the dust off those boardgames! . 
• Clean your house, and, if you can obtain supplies, maybe think about decorating and DIY - do all those little jobs you never have time for
• Start knitting or crafting again or whatever hobby has fallen by the wayside 
• Look at the online training available and brush up on your CPD
• Set up a neighbourhhod support system so those around you who are vulnerable have someone to call on - a note through the door with your number on, or a WhatsApp group perhaps. 
• Sleep!

There is so much more I could say but for now I'm signing off. I hope to update this blog regularly and will be adding links to any resources or useful sources of information I come across on my virtual travels. ​
#staysafestaywell

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
​