How long did it take to find mindees once registered?

[Ilovebagsandbruuuce]

I am about to go through the motiond of registering as a childminder and am hoping to complete the process before Christmas whilst on maternity leave for my 2nd child.

I got to thinking, I wonder how long it will take my to find some mindees once registered. Figured this might be the best place to ask of people about peoples experiences

Also, i wonder how many people get refused to be registered. I have no reasons that i know of why i shouldn't be, but am worried anyway as i am thinking about giving in my notice at work so i dont have to go back.

And lastly, anyone have any grand ideas about marketing myself? I know i'll be on the local authority's lists, and that i could go to networking groups at the childrens centre etc, but any other innovative ideas? Thought about maybe magnetic signs for the car, ad in local rag etc.

Just interested to hear how you started out and how things have turned out for you. This is all new to me!

When my DH registered, he got one mindee immediately, but it took him 6 months to fill all his spaces. CRB check took the longest in the registration process. Word of mouth is the best marketing, so get along to local toddler groups if you can. We also got some postcards printed by vistaprint (quite cheap) and posted them around all the local houses - the postman took pity on us and delivered the 2nd half of them for us

I completed reg process in June, was looking for an assistant by August, but it took me 4wks before I had an enquiry. It depends a lot on demand in your area, do lots of market research. If you google cm's you will get loads of free ad sites come up that you can list on.

As HSMM said get known at local groups, word of mouth is the best way to get business, I only take recommendations now and fill up on those. Vista print is fab, do a whole range of promotional stuff, do loads of deals, quality is great and pretty quick turnaround, they do car door magnets, t shirts, mugs, banners etc and you can get them all matching so have an instand professional image (cheaply) also do web sites that are so easy do set up.

Please be aware that is can take a long time to get registered. I started the process intiailly by making enquiries in January 2009 local authority, had to call back in August 2009 to book a place on a pre registration meeting that I went on in January 2010. did a 6 week course (every Saturday) which finished in may this year. I sent off my forms at the end of may and i am still waiting for my crb and social security checks to come back.

Wow thanks for all the info guys! That's really helpful. Will definitely look at what groups there are locally and at vistaprint. That sounds super!!

Em mum that's taken ages! Is that standard for most then? What was the 6 week course???

i received me registration in nov 2009 and am still waiting for mindees