This section of our website is for the childminders of the Wakefield district.

HOT OFF THE PRESS
The 2008/2009 Training Directory from Family Services, Early Years Improvement Team is now available for viewing or downloading.  To access the Training Directory see Related Downloads on the right.

What does the Children's Information Service do?

The Children's Information Service (CIS) provides quality, accessible and impartial information and guidance on the full range of play, education and childcare services to the parents/carers of children in the Wakefield district.  To help with this the CIS holds comprehensive information on all registered childcare on the iChIS database.  We also have a website called Childcare Link where childminder details appear if we have recieved their permission to publish their information.  Have you checked your record on the website recently?  Would you like it changing?  Would you like your information on the website? If so call the CIS Information Team. 

Need help filling your vacancies?

We help childminders to fill their vacancies by providing parents/carers with information on local childminders with vacancies in the areas requested.  However it should be noted that the CIS does not recommend one childminder above another, but acts completely impartial.  To better understand how we work look at our Statement of Service in related downloads on the right.  Help us to help you.

How do we keep your information up to date?

To enable the CIS to keep your vacancy details up to date we have provided a number of ways for you to contact us, for example, you can call freephone on 0800 587 8042, fax the CIS on 01924 306262, email cis@wakefield.gov.uk and finally all childminders have been provided with Vacancy Cards which can be returned to the CIS by freepost.  Also the CIS proactively contacts childminders whose vacancy information is more than two months out of date.

Every two weeks Ofsted provides the CIS with information on new childminders, resigned childminders and changes to registration, for example an increase or decrease in the number of registered places.

Handling Concerns or Complaints

In the event that a parent or carer calls the CIS with a concern or complaint about a childminder we advise them to speak to the childminder in the first instance then follow the Ofsted guidance detailed in the Concerns and Complaints document in Related Links.  Under no circumstances does the CIS share information about concerns or complaints nor do we retain any of the information.

Links to Useful Information

Are you expecting an Ofsted inspection?  If you are you might like to read the Ofsted document 'A guide to inspections' in the Related Links on the right.

Another useful Ofsted document is 'Building better childcare:how to complain about the conduct of Ofsted's Early Years staff' particularly if you have concerns about the conduct of an inspector or if you feel you have been unfairly treated.

'The Childcare Bill' sets out the vital role the local authority plays in providing sufficient childcare places for the families who need them in their communities.

For those who would like to know more about childminding and how to become registered contact the CIS to receive an information pack.

Human Influenza Pandemic

The Health Protection Agency in Wakefield has issued a warning about concerns that a new flu virus with pandemic potential will emerge and spread.  Whilst experts cannot predict when this might happen they believe the consequences will be serious.  To enable childcare providers to be prepared for the flu pandemic the Department for Education and Skills has produced guidance for childcare and early years settings entitled 'Planning for a human influenza pandemic' which can be viewed through the Flu Pandemic link on the right.

Events

During the year the CIS will be involved in a range of outreach activities and events across the Wakefield district, and information will appear here as and when arranged. In the meantime to see where our Outreach Officer will be in the district over the coming weeks follow the link on the right for Outreach Events for a list of dates, times and venues.