Click on a statement to see more information about providing a high quality childminding service and running a successful small business. Each statement also contains a drop down list for the SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers where relevant. These will help you to see the connections between what you do and these indicators of best practice.
This section has been written in partnership with Alan Laing, former Business Gateway advisor and Tayside Regional Manager for Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland.
DEVELOPING MY BUSINESS
I know and understand the requirements set by my local authority if I apply to become a funded provider of Early Learning and Childcare.
Think about…
• The potential benefits to your business of working in partnership to deliver funded hours
• The additional requirements which may be set by your local authority, for example qualifications and evidence requirements for quality assurance.
I know and understand when and how to inform HMRC that I have started my childminding business
Think about…
• The date you start your business will be the date you will be liable for recording income and expenditure.
• The methods you will use to record your income and expenditure and try to get into the habit of recording these regularly
I know and understand how to keep simple records of income and expenditure for tax purposes
Think about…
• setting aside some time each week for record keeping, as it can be daunting to try to do it all at once.
• The small items you purchase, such as foodstuff or replacement items can easily get lost from your accounts, so ensure you ask for and keep all receipts (this may also include some domestic bills)
• Using a record keeping app available for phones which may be good for quick input.
I know and understand the level of Public Liability insurance that I need for the types of activities I will be doing
Think about…
• Regularly reviewing the contents of the policy and pay particular attention to the small print
• Reviewing your provider in the weeks/months before renewal as the cost of insurances can vary between providers
I know and understand the benefits and importance of contracts which reflect the service provision I offer: including costs, hours of service and what parents can expect
Think about…
• being open to on-going negotiation with parents but be mindful of the ethos of your business.
I know and understand the value of my service and the reasons for charging the amount that I do
Think about…
• Reviewing your charges within the first 6 months of being in business and annually thereafter
• How and when you will give notice to parents of any changes and when they will come into force. Any changes should be justified.
I know and understand that if I provide snacks and/or meals for the children I care for I am required to follow the requirements set out by Food Standards Scotland
http://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/food-safety-standards/advice-business-and-industry/childminders
http://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/177298/nhs-setting-the-table.pdf
Think about…
• The benefits of providing meals and/or snacks and the various learning opportunities they provide
• How you will manage the requirements of your local environmental health department
DEVELOPING MY CAREER
I know and understand the importance of representing my business in a professional manner and how my customers will view my childminding business and be attracted to it
SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers
2.1 I will be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy
2.2 I will communicate in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way
2.4 I will be reliable and dependable
2.5 I will honour work commitments, agreements and arrangements and, when it is not possible to do so, explain why to people who use services, carers and my employer
I know and understand the importance of boundaries and agreements about the use of space within my home in which to run my business
Think about…
• where possible, having set areas in your home, clearly assigned and defined for the purposes of your business.
• The potential impact on your own family, for example children having friends round to play
I know and understand the services local support agencies can provide
Think about…
• researching local support agencies
I know and understand the needs of the families I am working with, whilst also meeting my needs and those of my own family.
Think about…
• how flexible you are prepared to be
• making regular time for yourself to do the things you enjoy
MARKETING AND PROMOTING MY BUSINESS
I am aware of the safe use of social media to ensure confidentiality for the children and families I work with
Think about…
• investigating the privacy settings for any social media you are using
• setting up an open site with general information to promote your business, but a private method of communication with parents with regard to their children.
• the benefits of using this form of communication and marketing but balance this with the need to keep children safe.
I know and understand how to promote my service and the importance of reputation when marketing my business
Think about…
• the need for confidentiality, sharing images and the necessity for consent to use these in advertising.
• The value of word of mouth as a marketing tool and how your behaviour can influence this.
SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers
2.1 I will be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy
2.3 I will respect confidential information and clearly explain my employer’s policies about confidentiality to people who use services and carers
2.4 I will be reliable and dependable
5.8 I will not behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would bring my suitability to work in social services into question
I know and understand that I may offer a different type of service to other childminders and how to promote this difference to potential customers
Think about…
• what makes you stand out from the other childcare providers in your area. Why should parents and carers choose you over anyone else? Highlight this and use it as a unique selling point.
• Using testimonials from parents within your regular marketing strategy.
• how you will attract visitors to your social media regularly and encourage them to share the information with others.
I know and understand that I can advertise my business via various local and national organisations
Think about…
• how you want your potential customers to find out about you
I know and understand I can be proactive in highlighting the benefits of my service for children
Think about…
• How you describe the various aspects of the job and how these demonstrate the complexities of what you do.
• Regularly asking others what they think of your services and make adjustments to ensure that your business is promoted in a positive light.
MY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
I know and understand that investing in my own development and training is a way to improve my business
Think about…
• Including costs of training within your pricing structure
• Including training costs as a taxable expense (if you self fund)
• Contacting your local authority Early Years team, local training providers and colleges to see what training is available and what help may be available to you to help fund these courses , for example Individual Training Account (replaces ILA in Oct 2017) or part time SAAS funding.
I know and understand that I may need to be assertive with parents and carers with regard to contracts, payments and hours of service
“…being assertive in dealing with contracts, payment and lateness issues, …for me, this has been the hardest thing to deal with…” (Childminder)
…I have definitely been too accommodating. I assumed that if I was professional but helpful, parents would be appreciative. …I really wish I had been stricter with parents from the outset as it’s really difficult to change the way you work with a family once a relationship is underway.“ (Childminder)
Think about…
• setting regular dates to review and renew your contracts with parents to provide a good opportunity to discuss any issues.
• How you might approach parents/carers if this situation arises
SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers
2.1 I will be truthful, open, honest and trustworthy
2.2 I will communicate in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way
2.4 I will be reliable and dependable
I know and understand the potential value of contact with local childminders and support groups in my area
Think about…
• The potential benefits to you and the children in your care of attending local childminding groups
I know and understand the benefits of a personal development plan to support my own learning and development
Think about…
• Setting dates in your calendar to review your own skills and knowledge
• Asking other people (children, parents etc.) for feedback
• Setting goals for your own development and gathering evidence to show you are achieving these.
SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers
6.9 I will undertake relevant learning to maintain and improve my knowledge and skills and contribute to the learning and development for others
I know and understand there are relevant quality frameworks which are available to me which can help me develop and evaluate my service
In addition to these other frameworks and guidance are available to you which you can use to enhance your provision for children. A working knowledge of these will help demonstrate your practice.
Consider
• which national guidance are most relevant to your childminding business
• how you might use this guidance to help provide evidence of best practice
These include:
Pre-Birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families
Wellbeing Indicators
National Health and Social Care Standards
4.11 I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice
4.27 I experience high quality care and support because people have the necessary information and resources