As many as 16 per cent of childminders care for disabled children or children with Special Educational Needs, according to the National Childminding Association's latest membership survey. It is care that is proving rewarding both professionally and personally for registered childminders.
Most of the childminders begin offering such care with support from a dedicated quality improvement network that specialises in provision for disabled children.
Through the networks the childminders are able to access training in particular areas, such as sign language, or helping a child with behavioural difficulties.
The network of support also extends to working with social services to provide respite care. Childminders work directly with the parents to learn how they administer medication, manage feeding tubes and deliver styles of care. They also work with health visitors or other healthcare professionals and schools and children's centres.
Many childminders say that caring for a disabled child, regardless of the nature of their impairment, comes with its own set of challenges - not least managing the relationships among all the children in the setting.
As each child comes into their setting, a childminder must learn all they can about the care of a child with a specific disability. This can mean gaining some medical knowledge and other training to ensure that the child can be included in the setting and the activities as much as possible.
Childminders' efforts are rewarded when they see a child reach an important milestone. It helps the childminder to give all children a positive outlook on disability and awareness about diversity. They also feel proud that they are ensuring a disabled child feels fully included and supported, and seeing the joy that can bring to the whole family.
Catherine Farrell, joint chief executive of the National Childminding Association, says, 'Registered childminders are ideally placed to offer a more personalised service to disabled children and their families. As they usually work with very small numbers of children, they can provide a setting that is homely and informal as well as educational. This can help a child who may need some extra support to thrive.
'We also know, from studies of childcare needs, that parents of disabled children often struggle to find childcare, and the NCMA is keen to encourage these parents to consider registered childminders as a childcare option.'
- Louise Banks is press officer at the National Childminding Association
CASE STUDY
Kirsten McCrossan, Darlington
Kirsten McCrossan has been childminding for just under two years. She is part of Darlington Childminding Network, which has recently been set up to meet the demands of parents with disabled children. She decided to help fill the local authority's gap in offering childcare for disabled children and went on an inclusive childminding course provided by the Darlington Network.
Kirsten secured two placements for disabled children. One was for a boy who had ADHD and the other was for a 17-year-old girl with foetal alcohol syndrome. One of these is paid for by the parent and the other with direct payments from the local authority.
'I get a lot of support from the Network Co-ordinator,' says Kirsten. 'She comes to my house to see how I am getting on individually, and the whole group meets regularly to discuss any changes in the area.
'I can call my co-ordinator about any problems I have to do with my childminding. I provide short break respite for families, as I am registered for overnight care. I look after one girl, Emma, overnight once every four weeks to give her single dad a break. Sometimes, if he has meetings to attend, she comes to me after school as well. I offer this flexible service because it helps the family and it saves her going to lots of different people for care.'
Emma's father, Doug, says, 'It took a long time to find a childminder, as there is a shortage of care for older children. I was fortunate that a placement was found with Kirsten, and Emma and I can move on. I know Emma loves being part of the family and loves younger children, and it allows us some regular routines and space.'
Why did Kirsten decide to specialise in caring for disabled children? She says, 'I decided to be a more inclusive childminder, and the Darlington Network specialised in offering care for disabled children. I also spoke to one mother individually in the school playground who was wary of leaving her son in childcare. She had thought about using a registered childminder, so now I look after her son Jake, who is autistic. He is in mainstream schooling, but just needs some extra care and attention.
'I would say to any childminder considering looking after disabled children, it is well worth it - so rewarding. The girl I care for could have gone to respite care in a large group setting, but fits in here so well. She is part of a family atmosphere and smaller group where she can build her confidence.'
CASE STUDY
Janet Pentony, Cardiff Childminding Network
Janet has been childminding for five years and is a member of Cardiff Children Come First Network. The network has nine childminders working to care for disabled children and currently provides care for 30 families. Janet joined the network and undertook training, including a level 3 in childcare practice and extensive autism training.
'Something "clicked" and I thought that I'd really like to be part of the network,' says Janet. 'But I didn't feel like I could do it without understanding and awareness of children and their requirements. The parents will teach you the most about their individual child.'
Janet has now provided care for children with a number of disabilities and learning impairments.
'I looked after a boy with an undiagnosed condition. He came to me when he was seven years old. At the time he was in a special unit within a mainstream school. He had challenging behaviour and wouldn't interact or make eye contact.
'Now he has moved on to another carer because he doesn't need the one-to-one care that I gave him. He even gave me a hug at the end, which is something he wouldn't have done at the start. Two years on, it was brilliant to be able to go to a meeting with a psychologist and talk as a professional about the things he has achieved.'
For other childminders considering looking after disabled children, Janet advises, 'Ask if you can shadow a childminder who already looks after a disabled child, or just speak to a network co-ordinator. They were very supportive and let me go at my own pace. I wasn't rushed into it.
'Most importantly, go with an open mind. When you go on to taking children with disabilities, you make a commitment for a long time. Usually most of the children I look after have been with me for two and a half years and up. They really become part of my family. It's the best job I've ever done - the hardest, but most rewarding.'
