Yeah, I've made it at last. Finally a fully fledged member of the CM Club. Started the process in January of this year, finished the training and sent off forms to Ofsted in May and after much hoohaa, missing forms and a lot some incompetance at the various agencies involved I've done it 
My first mindee started yesterday and he was a joy, if all of my mindees are as good as him I'll be laughing. I had forgotten how tiring it can be looking after a LO, my own DD is a very independent 4yo so a little shock to the system for me to have an 18mo boy to look after. I was up at 6, mindee arrived at 7.30 the 3 of us did the usual meals and school runs and played games and when it was just the 2 of us we went for a walk and spent some time getting to know each other (for my benefit really so I could get used to spending time with LO's). I barely sat down until he left at 5.30 and I LOVED it.
Thank you to all you MNers who have given me some great advice and virtual pick me ups when needed, I will let you know how next week goes.
Next step: find more mindees.....