Want to be a childminder

Is there a Childminding Network in your area?
Try the SureStart people - they would know

It's terrrible that you have had such a bad experience with C/mers - most of us are very good (according to OFSTED).

I'm a network C/Mer this means I have someone coming in every 6 to 8 weeks to check what I'm doing- I think it gives the parents real peace of mind - to know that I'm check so regularily

Yes, she does have the first aid certificate, I am remembering now, she has it up on the wall framed already.

I know, KatieMac. That's why I hate it. I think I am criminally liable, too. There really wasn't an alternative if I wanted to go back to work after maternity leave.

I have met registered childminders who were terrible, though. Just before I went with my unregis-cmer I was desperate enough I was going to try the only regis.cmer I could find who had spaces, and... even though my son complained (loudly) that she had no toys in her house. I was desperate enough to try her anyway, but since then (lucky escape) I have heard that she was once reported for abuse/neglect.... The police couldn't stick anything on her, but the mother telling me this said that this cmer kept such a tidy house that she didn't let the children play. And yet, although tidy, her house really stank, it was mildewy rank. She's not the first regis.cmer that I have met with a stinky or filthy house. Some of the local cmers (I have met many) complain that other cmers are too fat and lazy to play with the children or provide a nice environment for them to play in.

Another local cmer who is quite nice (but very busy, couldn't take my children), her husband (yes, he does live in the same house) has a criminal record (he got into a fight, was done for affray).

So you can't guarantee that a registered cmer is any good. I decided that I had to go with my gut feeling about whether I could trust her, and both DH and I feel that our unregist. cmer is simply wonderful. Just hope she gets approved soon. I can't believe how slow Ofsted has been

Up to 2 hrs a day

Babysitting would be in your house

If she has done the ICp or the 1st aid she should have certificates to show you. At the very least she should have the forms asking her to phone for a CRB check - if not letters etc

Remember she will have no insurance

and if she gets caught - she maybe prevented from being a C/Mer or working with children.

I will tell Ofsted that she has babysat for me many times (because I want her to get to know my children, because I want to use her as a cmer when she does become legal....) & occasionally picks my son up from school, the little bits (is it 2 hours/week?) that a person can do without being registered.

I guess she could be lying about applying but everything she tells me leads me to believe she really has completed the courses, really has applied.

If she doesn't become registered then I will just have to quit my job. I don't want to explain why because I need to stay anon, but there is no other acceptable childcare locally.

veryanon - ofsted can take their own sweet time but do be careful.

In the reference they will ask you in what capacity you know her....how will you reply

OFSTED can be hurried up - but it requires the careful coaxing of the C/Mer (or potential C/Mer)

Try to encourage her to contact them regularily and keep checking to see if she is registered.

Remember what you are doing is illegal and could affect her being registered in the future. So you may end up without a C/Mer in the end anyway.

Are you sure she has applied?

I am sorry if this is a hijack, but it's relevant...
I am currently using an unregistered childminder. Please don't tell me off, I hate it, we have to be very discreet. She is terrific with my children, she used to be a nanny. She is the 3rd childminder I have had (the other cms were legitimate) and the best cm as well. She has completed all the courses, all the paperwork. She sent her forms to Ofsted 4 months ago... last time she rang they said that they would make a decision for her in June. I just couldn't wait that long and I didn't like any of the registered childminers in this area -- or they didn't have places.

Is that normal? That Ofsted can take 5 months or more to make a decision?

I am supposed to be a reference for this lady in her application to Ofsted, but Ofsted haven't phoned me or anything!! Is that normal, too?

haha thanks KatieMac

I bet you will be gobsmacked if I actually qualify and start practising eh?

Just explain to CIS about your sister - they will understand....
Good Luck (again)

am still mulling it over, but because mortgage people wont take a new business into account until i have 12 months books, i dont need to rush into it...and think i would prefer childminding???

Well - the ironing is fine. If anything TOO fine. My heart now sinks when a new customer rings because Im getting so BLOODY sick of ironing! When I think of the petrol etc too its really not that great money but it does come in really handy.

hi Peckarollover

i think cis would be fine
ive just received my info pack on childminding(dont ask about the ironing)
and(dont know about your area)they are holding a short training day on wednesday...just somewere to pick someones brains, get application forms etc..ring yours, they may be doing something similar???

hows the ironing going??

Can anyone help me?

I ended up dropping out of the process last time. My sister was in serious accident at christmas, after hospital she moved in and I looked after her and only just moved out last week so at the time it was too much to take on with everything else going on.

Would I be able to reapply? Would CIS think I was taking the piss?

Peckarollover - I am sure he will already hve had one.

Good Luck - JoFeb04.....enjoy it

I had my introduction on wednesday and Im really looking forward to getting started. I have to go to the other session of introduction and get the course dates, fill in forms etc

The lady was saying that ofsted are turning inspections round very quickly, so much so that she said not to fill in application form straight away or we would have the inspection before we were back for the second session!

The ICP course isnt running again until April which I am a bit dissapointed about as it will take me longer to get going.

I have a big concern that Im very worried (and also embarassed about) that I wondered if any of you could help me with.

For the CRB check for all others over 16 in the house I am worried about my DPs. Let me get this straight from the off he is a very responsible, caring and lovely man. HOWEVER when he was younger he was caught with a small amount of marijuana on him and Im petrified that this will prevent me from being a childminder. This incident was when he was about 20 and he is well over that phase now but he is only 25 now so it will still be on his record.

PLEASE reassure me someone???

He is a heamatologist in the NHS - do you think this means he will have already had a CRB check?

Good luck
KMc

Oops I got that wrong - I haven't posted a web link before - i just copied the instruction on this page. Can somebody tell me what I did wrong?

Thanks

NCMA \link{http://www.ncma.org.uk}
Follow the links "How to become a Childminder"
Then "How to get started in Wales"

NCMA's Wales Office on 029 2034 2336

my email is rebecca.roll at btinternet.com - drop me an email as i think i have lost yours

Don't stress I'm in over my head with life at the mo....so I'm frantically reading threads on here to take my mind off it.

Life can get like that sometimes - do get in touch if you need to...

KatieMac - can I just say here as well thank you for all of the help over email you gave me last time. I feel guilty that I think I just stopped emailing but my head was all over the place at the time and ended up concentrating on something different entirely!

Hope you dont hold it against me ;) Would like to benefit from your wisdom this time around!

I agree get registered and them decide if you want to work now or later....it took us nearly 6 months to register.

Remember you will be running a business - so consider how you will do you accounts etc - and ask arround to see about prices.

The council (in England) has "Childcar Information Service" which will have info about other childminders and maybe some rates

Good Luck and keep in touch

Peckarollover - I'm glad your going to register

Keep in touch both of you