Thinking to start up childminding, where to start and how to advertise?

[Starberries]

Have looked at NCMA website, I have the Ofsted recognized childcare course already suitable for CM'ing, what are the next steps I would need to take (i.e. who do I contact about CRB, getting on Ofsted register, getting a home visit, etc.?)

Also where do you advertise for mindees? Thanks all.

Contact your local council (may be at County level). Families Information Service / Early Years Department.

Even though you may have a childcare qualification already, you will probably still need to do the childminding course.

The process could take 3 months to a year (or even longer - it's a bit like "how long is a piece of string?")

You asked a very similar questions in March... did you speak with the council back then?

Hi Nick, no we didn't end up speaking to the council as decided to keep going as nannies, but now that our first child is due soon, it makes more sense to go the childminding route. I took a course in April that specifically is suitable for nannies and childminders (the 2-day letter of evidence that Ofsted needs) so that's no problem.

Makes sense to start the process now then, I think, as DS1 is due in January. Thanks

How come you didn't get the registration pack when you did the course? I thought that was handed out at the end of the course (though I expect it does differ from authority to authority).

EYC form is available online, as as other forms needed such as Health Declaration, EY3.

Also looks like it can be done online.

However I expect it is best to contact your local early years department to check what the local procedure is.

Maybe a childminder from your local authority area can give you more info - what local authority are you under?

That's annoying, I rang up ofsted to ask for those forms when my DH finished his course and had them given to him, so the applications would go together - they told me they don't supply them and I would have to wait til i had done the course too, even though I explained the situation, and it would have made things less complex for them too. Typical.

With regard to advertising, I think from previous discussions on here that most enquiries come via Families Information Service (they get notified around 2 weeks after your Ofsted registration certificate comes through).
Childcare.co.uk is also popular currently and word-of-mouth can work well (such as other childminders passing work on to you).

Where are all the childminders - they are ignoring you... come on childminders, help me out, my knowledge on this is a bit rusty as been quite some time now since I was involved in CM registration.