Childminders who maintain rigorous health and safety standards in their home-based settings have identified a need to make parents more aware of safety issues. In line with this, the National Childminding Association (NCMA) has teamed up with the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) to offer a new resource pack to childminders, which helps them to disseminate vital information to families.
Emma Wiles, membership marketing manager at the NCMA, says, 'Childminders educate the children in their care about safety hazards, but many worry that parents do not reinforce this in the child's own home. Childminders also express fears about safety when children are out and about, with some parents still sticking buggies out into the road in front of them when they cross.'
She adds, 'The picture books included as part of the pack are fun and simple. They depict different scenarios in a friendly way, and in an everyday context.'
There are four books in the pack, spanning going out, babies, children starting to crawl, and toddlers. Safety considerations for each stage of development are covered in detail.
Ms Wiles says, 'While childminders are practised in these areas, they have been asking us for an educational tool that can be lent to parents. There is also an A3 poster which is packed with advice about keeping children safe in the home, including at bath-time and in the kitchen. It also covers things such as avoiding having curtain or blind cords hanging down, as these can be extremely dangerous.'
Childminder Julie Ballard from Worcestershire says, 'I have the poster up on the wall and the books are good for myself and the children. It didn't give me any new ideas because I've been childminding for 15 years and have a good idea on keeping children safe, but it promotes safety as everyone's business and serves as a reminder, especially for the older after-school children.'
The pack sells at £6.99 through the NCMA and has been in demand since it was launched a month ago. The idea was originally born out of the organisation's quarterly product advisory group meetings.
'We go to different regions and talk to different childminders to find out what we can do to help them improve their service, and what is affordable to them,' says Ms Wiles.
'We took the CAPT books to a group of 15 childminders in Bolton and asked them to trial them and provide feedback. They were very positive, and felt that the books were particularly effective because they were fun and accessible, and also affordable for childminders.'
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