Glossary of terms
Service Directory Classification Information
| Intensive | Highly specialist services aimed at providing the closest levels of personal care and treatment to groups or individuals with specific assessed needs |
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| Specialist | Services aimed at disadvantaged children/young people at risk of social exclusion with specific or complex specialist needs |
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| Targeted | Services aimed at disadvantaged children and young people at risk of social exclusion. May include those living in 'targeted' project areas |
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| Universal | Services available to all children and young people |
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Ofsted Registered Childcare Information
| After School Club | Group childcare either on or off a school site providing non school based activities after the school day. |
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| Breakfast Club | Group childcare either on or off a school site providing non school based activities before the school day. |
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| Childminder | Childcare for children aged 0 - 19 in the providers own home for reward for two hours or more in any one day. |
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| Home Childcarer | A person aged 18 or over who cares for children aged birth to 17 years, of no more than two families at any one time at the home of one of the children. This includes nannies.The Home Childcarers shown on this website have registered with Ofsted on the voluntary register. |
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| Crèche | Providers offering occasional childcare for children under eight, whilst parents or careres stay on-sight to use other facilities or attend training courses. |
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| Day Nurseries | Group childcare for 0 - 12 year olds for a minimum of 45 hours per week over 5 days or more. |
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| Holiday Club | Group childcare either on or off a school site providing non school based activities during some or all of the school holidays. |
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| Pre School Playgroups | Group childcare for 0 - 5 year olds open less than 45 hours per week. |
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All childminders and group childcare providers caring for young children in the early years phase (birth to 31st August following their fifth birthday) - including playgroups, pre-schools, private nurseries and out-of-school clubs - must be registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. The exception to this is where a pre-school, nursery or out of school club is an integral part of the school and managed by the governing body. Registration includes a criminal records check on anyone involved in providing childcare and an inspection of the premises to look at health and safety, educational and welfare issues. Childcare providers caring for older children (aged five to seven years), must join the compulsory part of the Ofsted Childcare Register. You can check that the childcare provider is registered by asking to see a registration certificate, or by contacting Ofsted.
Registration to care for children aged eight plus is not a legal requirement but is a voluntary option. Creches, Activity groups and Home Childcarers (Nannies) may also join the Voluntary Childcare Register if they choose and will then need to meet the requirements of this type of registration
Quality Information
| Introductory Phase | From the point of registration up to their 1st Ofsted inspection which often happens at around 3 - 7 months following registration. During this time, they are also offered the support of a mentor (another experienced Childminder) where possible. |
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| Intermediate Phase | Childminders will automatically move to this phase following their 1st Ofsted inspection. Childcarers are encouraged to attend the monthly DQIS sessions and access training and development opportunities. |
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| Advanced Phase | Childcarers will hold a Level 3 qualification or will be working towards it. Childcarers at this level will have been assessed in their homes to ensure they provide higher quality than the minimum standards of care expected for registration. Childminders who wish to deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (formerly known as Nursery Education Funding) can choose to become "Accredited". |
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| Accredited Phase | Childcarers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to the children and wish to draw down the Early Learning and Childcare funding to provide free nursery education places to the children are able to move from Advanced to Accredited. This phase is operated by the National Childminding Association (NCMA) Children Come First Network in partnership with DQIS. Childminders will be supported by the NCMA prior to assessment by the Early Years team. Ongoing support and monitoring will be provided by the NCMA and the Early Years Team. The requirements of the NCMA Children Come First network apply. Additional training requirements will apply to accredited childminders. |
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| Advanced Plus Phase | Childcarers who hold a level 4 childcare qualification or above (or are working towards it) are recognised at the Advanced Plus stage and are encouraged to share their experience and knowledge with others. Other related professional development is also encouraged such as adult teaching, if desired. |
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| Accredited Plus Phase | Childminders who hold a level 4 qualification or above and who are drawing down the Early Learning and Childcare Funding are able to be recognised as working within this phase of the NCMA Network/DQIS. |
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| Enabled Childminder Phase | This phase can be accessed alongside any of the other Quality Assured phases. Childminders on this phase undertake additional training in order to develop their skills and experience in providing care and support for disabled children.
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Childminders and Home Childcarers offer a "Home from Home" experience for children according to their individual needs. The Dorset Early Years team work in partnership with the National Childminding Association to provide a package of support and development know as the Dorset Quality Improvement Scheme (DQIS), which aims to support professional childcarers to offer the highest quality care and education. The scheme comprises of 6 phases to support Childminders from registration through to the higher levels of qualification and experience. Active involvement in the Quality Improvement Phases is voluntary but offer Childminders and Home Childcarers the opportunity to make improvements at their own pace. Involvement in the Quality Assurance phases (Advanced and above) involves the childcarer having a level 3 or above childcare qualification and a commitment to developing and maintaining high quality care. Accredited childminders are able to offer free Early Learning and Childcare places. Your Childcarer will be happy to explain their involvement in the scheme.
