Childcarer E-Newsletter - January 2010

Welcome to this month's issue of ChildCarer - the monthly e-newsletter, compiled by childcare and early years journalist James Tweed, exclusively for Morton Michel policyholders.

To read any of the articles simply click on the headline of your choice and you will be re-directed to the full article.

Monthly Draw - win a Morton Michel ChildMinder Organiser worth  £142.

Happy reading.

Samantha, Jerry and Nick Beere
Partners

CWDC reprieves two major Level 3 childcare qualifications
Two Level 3 childcare diplomas which were due to be replaced by a new qualification by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) will still be recognised this September.

England’s Early Years Single Funding Formula delayed by 12 months
The Government has postponed by 12 months the implementation of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) in England.

Nursery schools face having surplus money clawed back by local authorities
Almost two-thirds of maintained nursery schools in England that have amassed surplus money due to careful budgeting face having thousands of pounds taken from their budgets by their local authorities.

Boys will be girls when it comes to writing if the Government has its way
The Government is to target tree- and four-year-old boys in England and encourage them to learn to write using such materials as coloured sand and chocolate powder in order to stop them from falling behind girls when it comes to early literacy.

Children’s charity heads recognised in Queen’s New Year Honours
The Chief Executives of two leading children’s charities Action for Children and Home-Start are among those recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Rocking Horse nursery to reopen after Ofsted investigation into infant injuries
A Nottinghamshire day nursery where young children who suffered "unexplained injuries" is to reopen.

Wales get new Minister for Children following reshuffle
Leighton Andrews has become Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, while his predecessor, Jane Hutt, has moved to a new portfolio as Minister for Business and Budget.

Scotland MSPs reveal their first book loves
Scotland’s First Minister has revealed that the first book he ever read as a child was by Enid Blyton.

National award for Belfast childcare charity’s work in promoting tolerance
The Northern Ireland organisation Early Years has won a prestigious national award for promoting intercultural dialogue in the country.

Nanny award applicants sought
Nannies from across the UK are being invited to enter the Voice Professional Nanny of the Year 2010 competition.

Plotting the route to Level 3 professionalism
The future of childcare and early years qualifications and training in England is to be discussed at a half-day seminar and workshop in London next month.

And finally......
An undervalued profession
Confidence Booster?