Vacancy data ?
 

Do any of the childminding networks or smaller areas operate a system to report their vacancy numbers to a coordinator or similar ?

Is there an updatable register that can then be easily accessed by prospective parents ?

Our vacancies are updated by the local CIS but they don't usually ring me - the onus is on me to contact them regularly - each time I ring them to inform them of a vacancy they bounce me to the top of the list!

They did, however, ring me the other day - a very pleasant sounding chap called Barney who kept calling me 'madam' - he asked if I had a baby place vacancy.... so maybe they're going to be starting to do that more in the future....

Sarahx:smile:

As you probably know Ruth that in Darlington there has been a scheme put in place for each area of the town (and surrounding) - each area has its own vacancy co-ordinator who rings each person in his/her area to collect up to date vacancy info once a month. This info is then relayed back to CIS, giving a more accurate picture of vacancies available and CIS can actually give parents a more specified list of childminders to contact.

Best way to do this I think!

Hi Vik, no I didn't know .. sounds like a great idea !

Are the Coordinator's contact details given out to all newly registered childminders via CIS or the other way around and the Childminder recieves an introductory call from the Coordinator !?

The whole of the Darlington has been split into 6 areas and each has been allocated a vacancy co-ordinator.

We receive a spreadsheet each month with each childminder (who has opted to be on the scheme) in our particular area and we ring round and ask them what vacancies they have that they want to fill. We fill in our spreadsheet and return it to CIS via our overall co-ordinator, CIS then update their systems accordingly. This gives a true picture of what vacancies are out there and CIS are then able to pass more accurate details to parents.
Just to clarify though - that the vacancy co-ordinator (posh title isn't it?) does not have anything to do with sending out information to parents - all we do is ring the CM's and collect their data.

Each of the six areas has a co-ordinator and these people are also Support Minders - we are passed the details of new minders (again who have opted to be on the scheme) and we then ring then a minimum of once a month, meet up with them, introduce them to the area/other minders/ whats available, and they have our details (once we have contacted them) for them to contact us. We support new minders for 12 months then we push our little ducklings (lol) out. Of course by then friendships have probably been made!


Of course all information that we have is treated in confidence and subject to Data Protection. I know some CM's were a little concerned that I as a CM myself would be getting first pick at any enquiries coming in - that is not the case - I enter my vacancy details the same as anyone else and then as I say it goes to CIS and that is the end of my handling of it.

This is are really new scheme (in its second month). We are really hoping it takes of as it will improve things so much for parents and us CM's

wow :wide-eyed lol ..

It sounds absolutely fantastic, hope it's a huge successful for everyone .. (loving the posh titles :D)