Childcare as a Career
Lincolnshire County Council works with a number of partners, working to support prospective, brand new and existing child carers make their business a success.
Depending on your particular enquiry, there are a number of teams and organisations that can offer further support:
Interested in becoming a Childminder?
Contact the Family Information Service and we will send you details of forthcoming Childminding Briefing Sessions, where you will learn in detail about the range of support available – from training and Start-up Grants to being an inclusive childminder working with children with disabilities and making your business sustainable and of high quality.
Delivered by the National Childminding Association (NCMA), the briefing sessions also explain the registration and inspection process, giving you a chance to meet your area development officer who will provide support and advice through the Ofsted registration process and beyond as you become established.
The NCMA is contracted by Lincolnshire County Council to support, monitor and provide challenge to drive up the quality of provision. They can offer a tailored quality assurance accreditation programme and ongoing practical advice to childminders across the county.
Would you like to work with children under 5 in an Early Years setting, or set up your own Early Years provision?
Contact the Family Information Service to register your interest and we’ll send you information to suit your enquiry, including details of local training providers and Early Years providers that may have placement vacancies.
If you are thinking about setting up your own Early Years setting, we will make a referral to the Birth to Five team, who support the development of your Early Years setting if you are thinking of setting up new provision. In particular, the team supports developing new Early Years settings to meet Ofsted regulations in order to offer high quality provision.
Following the initial development of new Early Years provision, the Birth to Five Service continue to support settings in their endeavours to deliver high quality provision for children in Lincolnshire. A team of Early Years Consultants support, advise, monitor and challenge Early Years provision to ensure it is of a high standard. The Birth to Five Service also has responsibility for the Government’s Early Years Entitlement (EYE) funding across the Local Authority.
The Birth to Five Service has a Workforce Development team that provides advice and information on a range of courses for initial qualifications, mandatory training and continuous professional development.
Thinking of becoming an Out of School Provider (inc extended services), or would like to work in an out of school or holiday club?
Contact the Family Information Service to register your interest and we’ll send you information to suit your enquiry, including details of local training providers and Out of School providers that may have placement vacancies. In addition, if you are interested in working in an Out of School or Holiday Club, the Workforce Development team have details of a range of courses that may be suitable, from introductory courses in playwork to level 3 qualifications.
If you are thinking about setting up your own Out of School setting, we will make a referral to the Locality-based Development Officers who can offer guidance and support around setting up a new out of school childcare setting, and can support with business planning, Ofsted regulations and standards, and may other aspects relating to new developments.
4Childrenare contracted by Lincolnshire County Council to support, advise and challenge out of school settings in Lincolnshire to drive up quality of the provision. They work with providers to ensure they are consistently meeting the required standards for care.
What sort of training is available?
The Birth to Five Service Workforce Development team are committed to ensuring there is a whole range of appropriate training available each year that will enhance the professional development of those working in the early years & childcare sector. They are responsible for creating an annual training programme, offering advice and guidance on a range of full and relevant qualifications, considering progression routes to becoming an Early Years Professional (EYP).
Many of the short courses are offered free of charge, or with a small candidate contribution. Qualification courses are heavily subsidised, but funding is dependent on the role you are employed in within the sector and the level of the course that you are wishing to undertake. Contact Workforce Development for more information regarding what’s on offer and eligibility.
What is the role of the Family Information Service?
Once a childminder, out of school or daycare provider is registered with OfSTED, OfSTED send these details to the Family Information Service who then sends regular update forms to gather additional information about opening hours, charges and services available etc. This is then available to enquirers looking for childcare and children’s services and supports the sustainability of childcare businesses.
To enquire about working with children or setting up your own childcare business, complete the Recruitment Enquiry Form.
Contact Details
Go to downloads tab for a list of NCMA development workers.
