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Post by flossyinoz on May 20, 2009 12:31:15 GMT 10
Hi, How important is childcare experience? I guess this is a question more directed towards those who already have children through adoption or permanent care or are curently being assessed or are on the list and waiting like us. One of our negatives in our assessment was that neither DH nor I have had a lot of exposure to childcare especially young kids in the past. So respite fostering has been suggested to us which we don't think we can do at this point in time for various reasons (but this is another topic). Recently the topic childcare has resurfaced as we have been shortlisted for a child and one of the reasons why we were not successful was our lacking childcare experience which the couple who got her (I really wish them all the best and am happy that another childless couple is over the moon now) had. 1) So how important was you childcare experience (if you had any) in your assessement and ultimately placement? 2) What do you think of my idea of trying to volunteer in a childcare center once a week or fortnight (got to work this out with my employer first though ) Any ideas/opinions are appreciated. Flossyinoz
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Post by chinababe on May 20, 2009 18:15:22 GMT 10
If you don't have any other way of building up your level of child contact - I can't see anything wrong with this. Though it might not be the clicher - however you never know it might appeal to a relinquishing parent because your 'seen' to be trying IYKWIM!
Working in this area - for me I think this appealed hugely to the actual SW even though I won't be the stay home parent.
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Post by doris on May 23, 2009 19:54:24 GMT 10
Hi Flossy
We were told, the more you show that you are making an effort to gain experience with children it is better because it goes in your file and it is discussed. One suggestion that was given to me and i took it up was that with permant care children there are at times issues that might develop and your best bet is to gain as much information as possible eg: schools in the area for special needs children as well ask you local council of any groups for special needs children etc...by doing this it is showing the department and anyone else that is looking at your profile that you are proactive and not just sitting back and waiting for the phone call.
hope I helped.
Doris
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Post by flossyinoz on May 27, 2009 11:06:29 GMT 10
Thanks ladies for your comments. Well looks like all is going as planned. I am going to volunteer in a childcare center for six months with permission of my employer (of course at 1 day reduced pay). But it will be worth it - quite looking forward to it! Still need a police check, wondere what the working with children cards are for if you still need another polic check, but so be it, just a minor delay. Guess all will be ready by July then.
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Post by waiting on Sept 28, 2009 16:35:39 GMT 10
Hi Flossiysoz, I think that childcare experience is really important to them. I know that I have no experience with little children and they saw that as a real negative to our application. I decided to do some volunteer work every now and then at childcare centre. Probably not easy to organise if you are working full time though, is it? All my friend's children are older now. What is one supposed to do except for the above suggestion? F
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Post by flossyinoz on Sept 29, 2009 10:36:51 GMT 10
I had exactly the same problem. If work does not permit what i am doing you could still volunteer on weekends. Asl your council about child related volunteering opportunities, ours had a whole book full. it may not be with small children, but I think social workers appreciate any kind of initiative to get experience with children, eg buddy programs or respite for children with disabilities.
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