Care and support

Childminder support

The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is the only national charity and membership organisation that speaks on behalf of registered childminders in England and Wales. It promotes quality registered childminding so that children, families and communities can benefit from the best in childcare and education. Further information can be found on the NCMA website available via the 'External Links' on the right hand side of this page.

• The NCMA Herts team provides a support service to all registered childminders in Hertfordshire. Each district has a locally based Childminding Development Officer. The NCMA Herts team produces a magazine, Herts Minding Matters, which is distributed to 2,300 childminders three times per year.

• How to become a childminder in Hertfordshire Prospective childminders are invited to attend two information meetings where the role of the childminder is fully explained. The requirements for applying to Ofsted are fully covered. New childminders are currently eligible for a Start Up Package from Young in Herts, subject to certain conditions, which includes the mandatory training courses. The Support Childminding Scheme provides guidance from an experienced childminder during the first year of registration. Contact the Children’s Information Service in first instance.

• The Herts School Childminding Network The network enables parents to quickly contact local childminders through their school office. For more information and a list of schools participating in the scheme, please contact John Lambert (contact details on the pdf attached at the bottom of the page).

• Childminding groups meet weekly in most areas. they are run by childminders for childminders and importantly, the children they care for. For further information, and a list of all groups, please contact John Lambert (contact details on the pdf attached at the bottom of the page).

• How to contact the NCMA Herts team If you have any enquiry on any apsect on childminding, please contact John Lambert,contact details for the whole hertfordshire team is also available on the pdf below.