Considering becoming a childminder: how hard is it to get started?

[SundayGirl1]

Hi all, I’m considering setting up as a childminder in the next year or two. There is only one other in our local area and she always has long waiting lists, so I think there is a bit of a gap in the market. Just wondering if anyone has done this, how easy:difficult it was to get started, how you promoted yourself, how easy/difficult it is to pay your own tax, what insurances etc. you would need.
How complicated is it to register with Ofsted?
Currently work in a school so I have advanced DBS, first aid etc.
I also teach phonics so could offer that for older children.
Also just wondering how viable it is to make a career from - I’m in the West Mids so not sure what the going hourly rate tends to be/how well (or not!) it fits in around your family etc.
Thanks in advance!

I did it 25 years ago for 12 years so a lot will have changed but hopefully it will bump the post and you will get more upto date info.

I applied to be a childminder through Ofsted. Before my registration could be completed I had to do a 2 day first aid course, an enhanced child protection course (now called safeguarding children). I also did a two day introduction to childminding course with the local authority. I had to create policies for safeguarding, health and safety, disabilities (send) , day trips, healthy eating , inclusion, fees and probably more I’ve forgotten. Risk assessments for my home and outings. I bought childminding contracts, incident/accident forms off the NCMA. I planned my space and got it ready. I took out indemnity insurance and changed my car insurance to business DBS check (was CRB) for myself and DH.
I think I started the registration in January end started working the following September. Someone from Ofsted inspected my house shortly after I started.
You would need to think about-
what you would charge
what hours you want to work
how much holiday would you take and would you charge for it
how many children you want- ratios are
1:1 under one
3:1 under three
6:1 under 8
No ratios for 8+
would you just want under fives or before and after school also
what part of your house would you use
would your kids toys be used
pros
it can be really rewarding
it’s lovely getting up and working from home
it can be lovely for your kids having extra children to play with
you don’t have to worry about child care for your children
you spend more time with your kids
Cons
it can be hard work
there’s loads of paperwork
paperwork and cleaning/tidying is largely done on your own time
people in the community can become very aware of who you are and you get more scrutiny
some parents (and kids) are dicks
you can get messed around with money/fees

i did it from early 00’s fir 12 years it changed a lot in that time. For your under fives there’s a big focus on attainment, you have to show how they are developing and evidence what you are doing move them on in their learning (typically in a plan do review style layout)
Theres also the government funding now (which I never got involved in ) you would need to look at it and see what you get fir your area.
You would want to make sure your dp is on board as it can take over your house.
Advertising - you are added to the families information service . I put adverts up in local shops. There is website like childcare.co.uk but word of mouth was my main source.

@likeitshard lots of food for thought here - thank you!
When you say there is a focus on attainment, who tracks this? The LA or Ofsted or a combination of both?
Are there templates available for the risk assessments and policy documents or did you create them from scratch?
Will current DBS checks for your current employer suffice or do you need to apply for fresh ones?
Again, thanks so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it x

Ofsted - I’m not sure what visits are like now (I understand from the news that they are less frequent than they are supposed to be) but it was every 3 years. How you are graded will largely be based on what evidence you have of progress and working with parents. LA never got involved but I think there is some monitoring now because of funding. But I don’t know what this looks like.
I did my risk assessments/policies from scratch or taken from another child minder but now you will be able to get examples online for sure.
Unless policy has changed I Definitely needed a new DBS check, when ever I did a new role I had to get another one (I had about 5 at one point! )
You could ask the other childminder for a bit of advice. There use to be childminding co ordinators in each not sure if that exists now. Families information service for your local area may also have some information.

My friend set up as one and she had a full set of kids before she was even up and running as demand was so high and lots of people at school knew her already.