Directory of Providers
The Directory of Providers (DoP) is a list of all settings and childminders on the Early Years part of the Ofsted register and who are able to draw down Nursery Education Grant. Settings and childminders on the DoP must be delivering care and early education in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework to children from the term after their third birthday for up to six terms for between 33 and 38 weeks per year. We use information gathered in our 2011 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment to monitor the need for places closely. Those enquiring about setting up new provision are advised to contact the Early Years and Childcare team on 020 8831 6267.
Which settings are currently on the Directory of Providers?
There are over 100 providers on the Directory. The groups that are members can be found on this list of providers.
How do I join the Directory of Providers?
An existing provider, or a newly established setting, wishing to join Richmond upon Thames’s Directory of Providers will need to work with the Early Years team and take part in our quality assurance programme. They must also be operating an inclusive provision where children with special needs, disabilities or learning difficulties are offered equal opportunities for progression and development.
Once an application to join the Directory has been received members of the Early Years and Childcare team work with the setting to achieve a 'good' level at an Ofsted inspection. This usually takes at least a term. Settings must successfully complete the Local Authority's quality improvement toolkit "Improving Quality for Children (IQC)" prior to joining the DoP and settings new to the DoP must be rated as "green" (it takes a minimum of 6 months to be accepted onto the DoP following this pathway). Accredited childminders may be expected to use a different audit tool. Once on the Directory, providers are expected to continue to strive for excellence in all areas of the curriculum and in the quality of their childcare by attending regular training courses to maintain and update skills and knowledge.
Advantages of being in the Directory of Providers
- The Early Years and Childcare Partnership Training Programme is produced three times a year and offers a range of training courses provided by a variety of training providers. Some courses can be offered ‘in-house’ at a cost to the provider, but the majority of training is offered at a number of venues in or around the Twickenham area, or in one of the five quindrat areas. For more information contact the Children's Workforce Development team at: workforcedev@richmond.gov.uk
- Regular advice and support on all aspects of the curriculum is available from an ‘assigned’ Early Years Consultants. EYCs visit settings, and they also give email and telephone support on play, care, inclusion and education.
- An Early Years Consultant in the team offers specialist advice to settings which have children with complex needs.
- Accessible information on the nursery education grant (NEG), and advice and information on ‘per session’ funding amounts, term dates, etc is available from NEG staff in the Early Years and Childcare team.
Who do I contact for further information on joining the Directory of Providers?
Contact the Office Manager at the Early Years and Childcare team on 020 8831 6267 for more information and an application form.