Network Childminders
Choosing a Childminder to care for your child or children can be a difficult time for parents, how do you assess what is best for your child? By choosing a Childminder who is a member of the Trio Childminding Network, parents can be assured that they are choosing a person who is dedicated to continual professional development.

Trio Childcare Connections have been contracted by each local authority to work with local Childminders to support quality childcare in a home setting through access to support, information, training and qualifications.

Childminders who demonstrate a quality service are then supported to further develop their skills into aspects of childminding that may interest them. This can include:

• working with particular ages of children
• providing wrap around care for school-age children
• working with disabled children
• offering early years education
• working with other professionals in Children’s Centres
• supporting newly registering childminders

Childminders who join a network are monitored regularly and all happily agree to unannounced visits to ensure that the quality of care is maintained. Joining a Network provides support for Childminders professional development, giving them and the children they care for, many opportunities and benefits.

Specialist Childminder Projects
Trio run specialist services for parents in some areas. These are listed on our childminder pages under projects.

Family Information Service
The family information service is a one-stop shop providing free information and advice on:

• Finding childcare
• Help with childcare costs
• Rights and options for working parents
• Family and parenting support
• Activities, play & sport for children, young people and families
• Help for families with disabled children

You contact the Family Information Service for your area at the following links:

Swindon FIS
Oxfordshire FIS
Devon FIS
Plymouth FIS

Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS
Every child is different – a unique individual – as any parent with more than one child in their family will know! Each child brings with her or him a very individual wealth of life experiences, relationships, knowledge, understanding and skills. This is true even for a baby of a few months. The EYFS ensures that every child is provided with the best support for their learning and development, from birth to five and beyond.

For further information, visit the Department for Children, Schools and familes website.