Want to be a childminder

Jo -
When I found out I was pregnant I decided to get into childcare as I had wanted to before, and childminding seemed the best option. If you go for the pre-registration meeting you can book onto an Introducing Childminding Practice course, which is free but compulsory as a childminder. They tell you everything, local prices, what to do during the day, about getting yourself and dh police checked. Once you are registered you can make local contacts who help you. Word of warning - I'd start it ASAP even if you are ttc as it takes a lot longer than they tell you it will. Hope this helps.

Hi Jo,
All adults who live in your house and anyone who works there regularly - ie if you had a cleaner or anything would need to be police checked.
I registered when my DS was just over 2.5 and my DD was 6months.

I guess whether or not you choose to register is up to you but is does take a little time , and as long as you continue to pay your registration fee once registered you don't actually have to be working, so you could do it now but then if you do concieve put it on the back burner for a while.
As for waiting until your DS is in school, I guess that depends on how confident you are at coping with another/other children. Personally I haven't found it too bad at all.
You need to contact your Early Years department at the council, but I got a start up grant which included my first years insurance and courses. I did change my household insurance, which added about 20 pounds to it. I also had to change my car insurance which added a similar amount - but I guess that may vary from insurer to insurer.
How much you can charge depends on what the going rate is in your area I guess.
Here in West London it is about 5 pounds an hour for part time and about 40 pounds a day
You are self employed so you choose your own hours . I am currently working Mon-Wed term time only but that's just how it worked out for me. you can choose to have children overnight to if you want to look after children whose parents work shifts, ditto weekends too.
Hope this helps.

I only work during school hours and during school term time

I only choose families from DH school

so I am available between 8am and 4.15pm

later can be negoitated because of parents evenings meetings BUT only if I want to.

Would rather not put payment prices on here

but I do charge quite alot as I only have few children. Only 1 atm.

I charge per hour split into 15 min chunks. and then overtime for early delivery or late pick up.

It will impact on your home life so depends if you want to wait or do it now.

I started when DS went to pre school he is now 9 years.

I am also considering being a childminder.

I had decided to do it a while ago but for one reason or another changed my mind. Have now decided again to do it and Im going for my pre registration meeting on the 13th January.

will be back later to help

if you have specific questions please ask away.

Go to the Ofsted Website here and there are publications you can download to see if it's right for you.