Peer support programme

Early Years Peer Support Programme The Managers/Childminders Peer Support Group (M/CPSG) is for those in the early year's sector who have leadership or management responsibilities. Like most professions who have associations or links with others in a similar field, the group provides opportunities to like minded professionals for discussion, exchanging information, advice and support.

The purpose of the M/CPSG is to build an informal network of management peer support across Norfolk which individual managers can tap into at their convenience.

The groups usually meet once or twice a term in one of the participant's settings. Setting leaders and managers or childminders are invited to come along and can 'dip in and out' of their chosen group. Key issues for discussion are decided by the individual groups. At the meetings opportunities for visiting other settings, shadowing, mentoring and training can be identified and processes put in place to facilitate them to happen.

It benefits settings and childminders by providing direct access to a pool of knowledge, problem solving opportunities and up to date information from local and national forums, provide opportunities for discussion on what works in settings as well as opportunities for visits, shadowing, mentoring and training, locally, regionally, nationally and in some cases internationally.

The groups are autonomous, run by early years setting leaders and managers or childminders for themselves. Initially the settings that piloted the Peer Support project have been the driving force in the formation and running of the groups and pivotal in rolling out the project to other areas across Norfolk. Once this has been achieved it is expected democratically elected leaders will run the groups for a set period of time.

For further information about your nearest Managers/Childminders Peer Support Group please contact Early Years and Childcare on 01603 222300 option 3.