Newly registered childminder needs some advice please - sorry its a long one

[LRKIDS]

Hi I am due to start working as a childminder in the next few weeks, I have my registration in place, and am waiting for my pack from NCMA including public liability ins.
I have lots of questions about various things, I am lucky to have my friends 2 children to mind as a start up, but obviously need to fill more places. I haven't a clue about advertising and have come up with an advert mentioning the main points and asking for interested people to call me for a chat and arrange a visit to my house, does this sound okay to people. Whereabouts do other people advertise and will the CIS contact me about advertising with them or do I contact them. Do you have a leaflet prepared to give to parents at the end of a visit?

My next worry is my policies, I have begun working on them but only have one point of reference for advice on these, does anybody have any tips they are prepared to share?

Next is emergency cover, i am a single parent and have no other adults living with me, OFSTED have not mentioned about this and I was wondering how I could arrange it. Does the person have to be another childminder or can it be anybody?

Thank you to anyone who helps me out, I have tried searching through all the information I have received but a lot of it isn't much help.

Hi I don't advertise but Katymac is the one to ask about that

DH is my emergzancy cover

But was told many years ago that my neighbour could be used if DH was away with work

BUT mindees and neighbours families are all friends so different situation and this was years ago

Hi LRKids

Advertising - where are you going to advertise, think about PO, Dr's surgeries (some won't let you), local shops, library, playgroups, nurserys, schools, village noticeboards etc. Do invite people round for a chat - but set up a back up system ie let a friend know when they are due and phone them after they have left or get your friend to phone you an hour into the apptment. I have a little brochure with a menu, a newsletter, my policies, questions for ask minders etc.

When you have you cert of reg give CIS a ring and chase them up - they won't mind.

I'll share policies, adverts, questions to ask C/Mers - just CAT me

Emergency cover - who would you leave you kids with if you were rushed to hosp? a neighbour, a mum from school, is there another C/Mer locally you could ask? It doesn't have to be a minder, but you could get that person police checked to make you look more professional (I use my Mum - police checked)

Don't worry about the questions everyone of us was a beginner at first. Look down this topic and anything that has Childminder's Club on it is worth a read

Good idea if you want to ask a question of other childminders

Ages ago Katymac{KMc} and I asked for a sub section called

Childminders Club: .......................

And so they gave it to us for childminders to talk to each other

So when you type a title put

Childminders Club: then the title here

Thanks for your advice, I'm sure I'll be needing some more in the future
katymac I have CAT'd you and also thanks for the advice about letting a friend know about a visit, I really hadn't thought about that one.

do you have a local childminding network or support childminders that can offer help and support, we do around here but i dont know if its national.. is there a local surestart by you they are great for help and advice too and you can advertise there.

It's probably over cautious - but until you feel happy and know what you are doing, it can be wise to take precautions

I'll prob get your CAt tomorrow

Bambni06 is right about the ntework they are a great help (if you have one in your area)

You don't have to have emergency cover, it's just that some of us have family or friends (who might be minders) who can step in if needs be. If I was rushed to hospital, I think the last place my dh would be is looking after all the mindees - he'd send them all home and come and hold my hand!!

Just reread your original post - if you are putting an ad together, I wouldn't mention on the advert itself about inviting them to your house for a chat. (I know Katymac has already advised you on letting someone know if you have someone visiting - it was just a follow-on thought of mine!)

Goodpoint theprisoner

Do you have a support childminder group in your area. These are experienced childminders who give help and support to childminders in their first twelve months of registration. If not why not contact your childminding development officer and ask her why not.