Sitters Questions page

Sitters Service – your questions answered

Here are some of the questions and answers from the recent launch of this service. Of course, this is a pilot and so we will be reviewing the service regularly and making changes where needed

Q. Can forms be accepted by email?

A. Yes please, we would prefer the forms by email but they can be posted if you don’t have this facility

Q. Can parents and childminders be linked to offer continuity of care?

A. Of course it makes sense if parents are happy with the childminder they have used. Sessions will still need to come through NCA to approve payment

Q. What if my disabled child is in respite? Could I have the service for my able bodied child?

A. Unfortunately the funding is only available if your disabled child is there but of course you may make a private arrangement with the childminder for this

Q. Could 2 childminders go together for the first few occasions, until they find their feet and split the payment?

A. Yes, if the parents agreed this would enable them to get to know 2 childminders for future sessions

Q. Are there any plans for training for administering medication?

A. We would normally expect parents to go through all the medication a child may need with the childminder beforehand, but we will be monitoring the evaluations to identify any general training needs and will try to provide it where we can

Q. Will the system ensure that childminders are chosen equally?

A. When a parent requests a session all childminders in the area will be asked if they can do this date and their names will be passed to the parent. Of course we have to accept that, once a relationship has been established, the parent may well choose the same childminder reach time

Q. Once a relationship is established can parents contact the childminder directly with dates and times?

A. No, parents will still need to contact NCA even if they want to use the same childminder as there is limited funding and each session will need to be approved

Q. What times in the evenings does the service start/finish?

A. Times are negotiable; childminders are not usually available during the week until 6 or 7pm so it’s more about availability than set times. However, this is an evening service only

Q. Do parents have an allowance of the number of times they can use the service?

A. Not at the moment but we will be reviewing this every quarter

Q. How can the childminders meet the children beforehand?

A. There is a £5 payment to the childminder, either for a separate meeting by mutual arrangement with parents, or to arrive earlier on the night