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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Becoming a childminder

33 replies

Gems83 · 11/09/2008 18:56

I am a stay at home mum with 2DS my eldest DS has just started big school and my youngest DS is missing him and is craving lots of attention basically he is missing someone to play and interact with (he's very close to his BB). With my DH being in the RAF it is difficult for me to get a 'proper' job and put DS in nursery so i was wondering if anyone can tell how i go about becoming a registered childminder.
Thanks for any advice I receive

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Original poster
Gems83 · 11/09/2008 19:53

We are in cambridgeshire(outskirts)!!
Might put a bit in 'forces sweethearts' see if i can pick up some more helpful advice.

OP posts:
TheConfusedOne · 11/09/2008 19:50

Which county are you in Gem? Not that it should actually make any difference, I think there is a CM on here who is at Cranwell, seem to think it is berryred, might be worth putting a bit in 'Forces Sweetheart'for her.

To be honest there is not any difference in CMing in Quarters or civvie Housing, apart from making sure you have permission from Welfare to CM in your Quarter.

Original poster
Gems83 · 11/09/2008 19:46

Thanks for that!!!
I am hoping to continue with the idea, i thnk i might find the whole thing a lot easier to understand if i could talk to someone about all the legislations and things like that so think i might try and contact someone at the childrens information service.

OP posts:
TheConfusedOne · 11/09/2008 19:42

Hello, I am on a Army Camp, and Childmind.
In my experience, There are never enough CM's on Camps. I have never had a space (says she who has one coming up)and find it very busy.

We are about to go into Civvie Street and will be giving up then, but have found Cming in Married Quarters great fun and very lucrative.

Original poster
Gems83 · 11/09/2008 19:39

I am definately thinking about this very carefully and am trying not to rush into anything!!
Thanks again for your advice you have been very helpful.
I didnt realise how much paperwork and how many legislations and policies there are involved but as i have read through some of sites i am not yet put off.
I hope as you say some other childminders on military camps will see my post and offer some equally helpful advice.

OP posts:
nannynick · 11/09/2008 19:27

Is there demand on camp for childminders?
You may be able to find out via asking HIVE (if you have one on camp), Families Officer (if those still exist). Also so a search on ChildcareLink and Ofsted's website, as they will give you an idea as to how many childminders there are in the area.

There are many message threads on here about becoming a childminder, frequent problems encountered, about recent changes in Legislation, EYFS, etc. So you will find that this section of Mumsnet is full of useful information.

I don't mean to be negative, but people do think of becoming a childminder for the wrong reasons. Think hard about how being a childminder will affect your life... and that of your DS1, DS2 and DH.
Think about if you can cope with the paperwork... it has become more about paperwork recently and that in my view is making childminders leave. Think about how you would cope with caring for 3 under 5's at your home. Married Quarters are not always that suitable and there can be limits to what changes you are permitted to make. There are some childminders who post on here who do work from Married Quarters, so with luck they will spot this, and give you their views - plus perhaps suggestions on how to overcome any strange Military rules.

Original poster
Gems83 · 11/09/2008 19:15

Thanks for replying so quickly!!
I dont want to be a childminder just because i cant get any other job!!
Before i had my children i was doing my BTEC national diploma in Early Years but for many reasons have to give up in my second year!!
I have always wanted to work with children but at the moment i am enjoying being at home with my youngest. We have just moved camps so hopefully will be posted here for many years!(fingers crossed)
I feel for everyone involved it would be easier and more practical to work from home than to apply for a job in a early years setting.
Thank you for the information you sent.

OP posts:
nannynick · 11/09/2008 19:07

Why do you want to become a childminder? I know you wrote some things, but those aren't filling me with confidence... you seem to want to be a childminder because you can't get any other job... that's not the case is it?

Most MOD bases I know of have childcare on-site or nearby. So not sure why you could not send your DS to a nursery, if you were to get a different job.

Being in the RAF, will mean that you get relocated every now and then... sometimes quite often, sometimes you may stay in one place for 2-3 years. This moving around will cause issues if you are a Childminder, as you will start from scratch every move.

To become a Registered Childminder, contact your local Children's Information Service. You can find their contact details at: www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Read as much as you can about registration and inspection... in England see www.ofsted.gov.uk

Read about EYFS

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