Available in this section are a range of resources Trio have put together to support your Childminding. If you have anything you would be happy to share that you think would be useful for other childminders please let us know at info@triochildcare.co.uk.

• Allocating each childminder their own dedicated Trio Childcare Development Worker (CDW)
• Running the Childminder Pre-Registration Briefings for those who are interested in becoming a registered childminder.
• Providing doorstep workshops which provides the childminder with an opportunity to have a taster “training” in either their own home or at a childminder drop-in. Please see the resources page for further information.
• Completing a minimum of one annual support visit to every registered childminder - where the CDW offers advice, information, signposting and support in meeting the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework; the Ofsted Childcare Register and the Voluntary Childcare Register and business advice. Newly registered childminders are offered 2 visits in their first year of registration
• Running the Trio Children Come First (CCF) Network which supports childminders to raise the quality of the service they offer to children and their families and recognises this by assessment against the 10 CCF Quality Standards; monitoring of the provision every 13 weeks and offering regular support meetings
• Assessing CCF childminders against further criteria to enable them to offer the Early Years Entitlement to pre-school age children
• Writing the Plymouth Trio Childminding Newsletter which is available termly to every registered childminder Please see the What’s on page for further information.
• Signposting to the Plymouth Early Years, Childcare and Playwork Training Programme to support childminders in meeting the qualification/training requirements and raising quality of care in their setting
• Attending Plymouth City Council meetings for professionals with a remit to support and advise childminders
• Work closely with other teams including the All Children First team; the Early Years Advisory Teachers team and Routeways (Family Information Services)
• Working in close partnership with Childrens Centres to assist them in supporting childminders from their local community
• Promoting and visiting Childminder drop-ins
• Facilitating Childminder Support meetings where childminders can network; receive updates on relevant information; “air and share”; listen to guest speakers and take part in Continuous Professional Development opportunities