Opinion: Letters

SHARED INFORMATION

I have been a childminder for 11 years and work with a number of children with behavioural and developmental difficulties including Autism, ADHD and Global Developmental Delay.

I care for a four-year-old boy who has been in my care since he was five months old. I have a close relationship with his family. He is not meeting his developmental targets socially or emotionally and is struggling in nursery, where they are struggling with his behaviour.

His mum is distressed and frustrated and desperate for help. We discussed his behaviour at length. I explained that it was purely my perspective based on experience, rather than professional qualifications, that I suspected there were reasons for his behaviour. I explained that aspects of it could point towards the autistic spectrum, though other behaviours could present like this, and she needed to get advice from a specialist.

His nursery teacher supported my thoughts and we have put measures in place to work with his behaviour until the EdPsych. make their assessments.

His mum asked me if she could get advice elsewhere, so I contacted a children's mental health team. I was told that it was not my place to make a diagnosis (which I hadn't) and we should not be making assumptions about his behaviour.

I am just a childminder, not an expert. I would never rush to 'label' a child. It has no implications for my funding. My interest is the welfare of the child and his family.

Do these professionals think parents cannot think for themselves, that his nursery teacher with 30 years experience does not know anything, and that childminders cannot indentify additional needs in children? What is the point of making observations and assessing our children if they are not worth anything?

This narrow-minded attitude causes problems in our childcare system. Information should be shared with all involved. Experience should be as important as qualifications if supported by evidence.

Name and address supplied

Letter of the Week wins £30 worth of children's books

STUDY CHILDMINDERS

'Numbers of childcare providers plummet as recession hits' (News, 19 March 2009) implies that the recession is the only reason for the drop in providers, but with childminders this may not be the case. The December fall of 1,671 was the largest quarterly fall in the number of childminders since Ofsted started releasing these statistics. It was also the eighth consecutive fall in childminder numbers.

The third quarter of 2008 (closed one month early to coincide with the introduction of the EYFS) showed a fall of 700 childminders, or 350 per month. The final quarter of 2008 (actually four months long) showed a fall of 1,671 childminders, or nearly 420 per month. The two averages aren't too dissimilar, yet clearly, there is an upward trend.

Until some research is done, we'll never know why so many childminders are giving up. Is it that the Government would like to see the numbers continue to fall so that they ultimately save money as childcare becomes concentrated in nurseries and playgroups? Or is it because they are scared of finding out just what the real reason is?

Arthur Adams, Warrington, Cheshire

WHERE MEN CAN GO

Men working with children in nurseries or as childminders contribute to a rich and varied environment in which children learn and develop. This challenges stereotypes and demonstrates gender equality to young children, providing positive role models. Boys need strong male role models, reading and learning with them.

Childcare and early years work is consistently ranked within the top ten most satisfying jobs. At the University of Reading we have been successful in recruiting strong numbers of men and women to our Early Years Professional programme. This postgraduate programme prepares those working in early years to lead and improve practice in settings, which in turn leads to improved outcomes for all children.

Mandy Booty, director, BA Children's Development and Learning and EYP Status, University of Reading Send your letters to ... The Editor, Nursery World, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP

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