How do you become a CM?

[JoInScotland]

Hello folks, I have not posted in this forum before, so please be gentle. My son is 14 months old and we have a lovely playroom for him which is on the ground floor along with the kitchen and a loo. I think we have turned the house into a fairly child friendly place which is light and bright and cheerful. I have heard there is a shortage of child minders in my area and I used to be a part-time nanny for my friend who has triplets as well as helping with my 17 nieces and nephews (I'm the youngest of 7!)

My question is, where do I get started? What do I need to do? What sort of training, how much does it cost, how long does it take? I would like to get up and running while I have one child (before we have another baby). Please advise!

where do I get started?

Depends on where you live but usually the first thing to do is to contact your local Families Information Service (local or County council) and ask them when the next pre-registration meeting is, and book a place on that.

What do I need to do? What sort of training

There is a training course, was called the ICP but is called something different now, I forget what. That is either daytime or evenings based.

Paediatric First Aid (12 hour course, done over 2 days, though can sometimes be done over more evenings)

There are some other short courses like Food Hygiene, Child Protection, and things to do with EYFS.

Cost varies (due to the way some courses are funded in some areas), can be £500 if having to pay full costs.

Registration process can take 3 to 6 months, can take longer. Everyone in your household 16 years old or older needs a CRB check, those can take time.