Would you say I could be a childminder?

[Tippychoocks]

I'm finishing an Early Childhood Studies degree and am Forest School L3 trained. CRB and paediatric First Aid. Other than that I have no relevant qualifications (none of the NVQs). I have a small 2 bed bungalow but a good sized garden with a fenced play area.

I have a daughter in Reception (half days) at the local village school and as a newly single parent I have limited options when I finish studying. There is no childcare in the village so I don't have time to drive to the nearest town to work, even assuming there were jobs there (we're v rural and though in a posh village, in a v deprived area).

Would you say that I could be a childminder or is my house too small and am I not qualified enough? Am I going to have a problem as I have an old collie and a woodburning stove? I'd be thinking of after-school care mostly: not babies or very young toddlers.

You are qualified enough and your house sounds OK. You would need to be able to keep the children safe (ie away from the dog and the wood burning stove). It takes AGES to register, so if you are considering it, contact your local authority now. Even though you have a degree, you will probably still have to attend the local council course. You will also need to do first aid, child safety and get an enhanced CRB check. If you have a good rep at the Local Authority, they should be able to tell you all the pros and cons in your area and may offer to come and have a look at your house, to give some advice.

Consider what demand for childcare there is in your village.

You say you can't find childcare, so other parents may be in the same position. Ask other parents in the village what they would be wanting, such as start/finish times, what cost, what schools they would want children collected from etc.

If you are only thinking of after school care and you think they may be over age 7 then you could apply to go on the voluntary register for now, it would be quicker than applying for the early years register.
As nannynick says, consider the demand, if you don't plan to look after babies and toddlers.
Does the school have any after school provision, it does make a difference.
As you are forest school trained, I would contact the local playgroups and see about offering forest school sessions. Do you have any children centres near you, they may well be interested in your skills.
Where abouts are you, someone may have some more ideas.

Thank you all.

Dan - the Forest School thing is a problem until I can afford a car as I couldn't get to a place to hold the sessions or afford my own equipment for proper provision. I have been doing some one-offs but without transport it's problematic. Something for the future, perhaps when I have whole days free.

I'm glad I won't have to do any more courses but I had realised about the council course - but not how long it takes. I think more research is the thing as you say.

I'm in Devon btw, more rural than Dibley