DEVELOPING MY BUSINESS
I am confident my behaviour, actions and environment all reflect a professional but friendly service
The information I produce is easy to find and is accessible, clear and concise.
The social media sites I use are professional in nature.
The communication methods I use are clear and use professional language
Reflective questions…
What standards of behaviour do I set for myself?
How do I reflect on these standards effectively, taking into account feedback from others?
I am confident that I can build on my reputation to attract new business
I seek regular feedback from children and parents and I review this and act upon it
I seek feedback from prospective and new parents about how they heard about my service in order to monitor the effectiveness of my marketing and promotion.
I retain and analyse information regarding referrals and the effectiveness of my marketing.
Reflective questions…
What methods do I use to gain feedback from parents and carers and how do I know this is effective?
How well do I use this information in order to inform my marketing strategy?
I am confident I know where I can find the advice needed to consider any development or expansion.
I have a development plan in place which has clear objectives which are reviewed regularly.
I am aware of local business support agencies.
Reflective questions…
How well do I reflect on my business plan to ensure my business model is robust and can develop according to changing circumstances within Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland?
MY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
I am confident that I am proactive in keeping my knowledge, policies and practices up to date and in line with legislation and best practice
I have a system of regularly updating my knowledge and practice (for example membership of relevant organisations, regular reviewing of newsletters, magazines etc.)
I have a Personal Development Plan in place which I regularly review, taking into consideration feedback from others.
Reflective questions…
How do I find out what’s new, has changed or is relevant to my career?
How do I record any developmental activities and how well do these records show reflection on my practice?
I am confident that, if I chose to be a member of a local childminders group, I can make valuable contributions and am able to demonstrate how this has helped me develop my practice
I have recorded any contributions I have made to local groups.
I have reflected on these and shown how this has improved outcomes for children.
Reflective questions…
How effectively do I contribute to any local groups or networks? How do I know this?
I am confident that I can help support other local childminders
I reflect on any support or advice I have given and how this has helped support others to improved outcomes for children
Reflective questions…
How actively do I support other childminders?
How do I know if this support is effective?
I am confident I can access specialised training if I require it
I regularly review my practice and can identify my own training needs based on best practice.
I have information regarding a range of training agencies which I can access.
Reflective questions…
How do I know what is considered to be best practice?
How well do I reflect on this and use it to inform my own practice whilst providing the best possible outcomes for children?
I am confident I can use national guidance and relevant professional learning resources and tools to reflect on, plan and improve my service
I am aware of the range of national guidance and professional learning resources available to me
I gather evidence to demonstrate training I have attended, and I have reflected on this to identify my future training needs.
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Pages/elc1buildingtheambition.aspx
http://www.continuouslearningframework.com/?wpfb_dl=106
Reflective questions…
Which national guidance is most appropriate for me to use?
How do I demonstrate that my practice has improved as a result?
What else could I do to improve my service based on this guidance?
I am confident I have the skills to build effective relationships with partnership organisations
I actively seek opportunities to engage with other agencies.
I engage in professional dialogue with others.
Reflective questions…
What do I know about potential partnership opportunities and how we could work together in the best interests of the children?
I am confident I can demonstrate what I do well and what I can do to improve my service to achieve positive outcomes for children
I have gathered a variety of evidence which demonstrates reflection on practice and identifies my learning and development goals
A variety of methods and sources of feedback is used.
I regularly review my learning and development goals
Reflective questions…
What methods do I use to evaluate my service and how do I know these are effective?
How do I know if I am making progress toward improving my business and making a positive contribution to children’s lives?
I am confident that I am able to look after my own health and wellbeing and that I have a good work/life balance
I have clearly defined working and non-working hours.
I reflects on work/life balance in a positive manner.
“As a childminder working at home, it is very easy to let work take over – especially if you do paperwork or cleaning at night because you are looking after children all day”.
Reflective questions…
What do I actively do to look after my own health and wellbeing?
What methods do I use to review my work/life balance?
I am confident that I can apply my knowledge of the range of curriculum frameworks which support high quality Early Learning and Childcare
I can discuss the relevant curricular guidance such as:
Pre-Birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families