Northamptonshire Childminding Network

What is a Childminding Network?

The Northamptonshire Childminding Network is a cluster of 7 local area based networks.
These area networks consist of up to 30 experienced Ofsted registered childminders who are willing to provide a range of specialist childcare services.
Before joining an area network, a childminder must go through a rigorous quality assurance process.
Every network childminder will be working over and above the national standards and will be committed to ongoing professional development.
Each area network is supported and managed by an NCA Network Coordinator who will regularly visit the childminder to make sure that they are maintaining the high quality standards that network childminders have to adhere to.

What do Network Childminders offer?

Support to Teenage Parents

Young parents are able to continue their education in the knowledge that their child is happy and well cared for and they have someone who can offer support and advice when it is needed.

Early Years Education

Some network childminders offer grant funded education places to 3 & 4 year olds. This is an ideal choice for families who are looking for a smaller group based setting for their child, rather than a busy preschool or nursery.

Family Support Childminding

Network childminders work in partnership with other agencies to provide sensitive, flexible childcare to families in need of additional support - this can include out of hours and occasional overnight childcare. Family Support childminding places are usually referred and funded by the support agency.

Childminders can support families in a number of ways:

Respite childcare to avert family crisis
Emergency childcare if a parent/carer is seriously ill or in hospital
Respite childcare for foster parents
Childcare support for parents affected by mental health or drug or alcohol issues
Parents who need to attend court or other important meetings/conferences/appointments

Specialist Sitters Service

NCA have a contract with the Core Offer for Disabled Children's Team to manage this service where Network Childminders proviide evening care for parents iwth disabled children in their own homes.