Qualifications...?

[Laurasmum]

I am considering childminding but have no experience, qualifications or insurance etc. How does that work? Can I advertise my services anyway? Does anyone who uses a childminder know what qualifications are required to mind babies or are they not required at all? Also I have a four month old of my own, is it a really bad idea to juggle my own small baby with someone elses? I'd really appriciate honest opinions here as I am strongly considering doing this.

You will need to contact your local childrensd information sevrice and they will put you in touch with the people that do the ICP course which you have to do. After this you will need a first aid course and a crb check and an ofsted visit and chat in your home (but not in that order). They will look at your facilities and deciede if you can be a childminder without this what you plan to do will be highly illegal and open for prosicution(?) and it not recommended as you will not be able to get insurance without being registered and you shouldnt do it without insurance, and you cant advertise because it is illegal if you are not properly checked.

I would be very surprised if parents would place their children with you if you cant prove you have a cert and are registered as parents want to see this.

I would consider having an older child as you are not able to have 2 under 1 unless this is specifically given consent by ofsted but it doesnt happen much and would proably not be given if you are new to this.

Hope this helps, i really enjoy my job and the own son is benefiting from it but you have to do the proper channels.hope this helps

Message withdrawn

Hi Laurasmum

I'm sure you weren't planning on doing it without registering, presume you just didn't know the procedure (I didn't before asking!)

Anyway, Jellyjelly is right. If you aren't sure about who your local childrens information service are, click this link and check by entering your postcode.

Good luck with it all

Crossed posts there!

Thank you! Thats all I needed to know!

I'd just like to say that it isn't rocket science to get registered - I just read other posts, and nearly put myself off doing it before I remembered that I'm already registered!!

Most areas offer an informal "do you want to know about being a childminder?" type meeting, and if you do decide to continue, you don't suddenly get launched into the middle of heavy-duty courses, forms and inspections.

Many childminders take up minding as a way of earning money whilst still being able to care for their own children at home, so it can be an ideal set-up.