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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Its all starting to come together.......

21 replies

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 12:01

i asked my friend to write me a reference to send off with my application for childminding and she has just sent me a copy to look at and it really shows what she thinks of me, i had no idea it has given me the reassurance and confidence to really do this, also at last dp has started taking me seriously and is showing his support by building me a website - i keep telling him that im not even registered yet but he just says yes but you will be very soon!

here is abit of what my friend said about me,

I think that X would be very competent in looking after children under the age of eight. She has two children of her own and looks after them well and if she adopts the same methods of routine and discipline that she uses with her children, then I am sure she will be an able child minder. X has a kind nature with children and can reason with them without raising her voice. I would leave my two children in her care, knowing that they would be well cared for. X understands that she will be educating children in her care and is looking forward to the challenge and is pursuing this line of work so she can look after other children as well as her own. I am sure that X would be a very good child minder and hope she gets the opportunity to do so, as I know she will do it to the best of her ability.

does anyone know how long i can expect to wait before hearing anything after i send off my application form and is there a glimmer of hope that i will be registered before february?

Any words of advice or tips on starting out?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Tan1959 · 05/12/2005 12:20

What a lovely reference - it is really nice to know what view other people 'really' have of you and boosts your confidence reading something so positive - she has covered several areas which is great. You are obviously a lovely mum and about to become a very good childminder too ...

Am just popping out so I have no time to anser your question now - will pop back later if I can....

nzshar · 05/12/2005 12:39

LoveMyGirls If your OFSTED lot are anything like mine then you could hear as soon as 2 weeks from the time of sending your application form in. I have my registration lady coming on Wednesday and sent everything less than a month ago. Her from her almost 2 weeks ago to set up a date for her to come round.
Though im not sure how long between the time of them coming around and actually getting the registration certificate is. Hoping no more than a month here.
HTH

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 14:23

that was quick! where abouts are you nzshar? im in the midlands. when OFSTED come do you have to have everything set up as you intend it to be when you start cming? or do they give you a list of what needs to be done?

Also i've done my ICP and as i've said about to send off my application but im wondering if theres anything i have forgotten to do? i have started my portfolio and dp has started building me a website.

OP posts:

Tan1959 · 05/12/2005 18:06

Yes, if you have the equipment ie toys, crafts etc and safety equipment, you should have it all set out as if you were childminding already. If you do not have all equipment, I am sure ofsted would not mind you drawing up a plan to show them - include a list of everything that you intend to get. I am sure though more experienced childminders will offer you more advice soon

nzshar · 05/12/2005 18:24

hey there

Im in Hertfordshire so maybe they are just quick down here

I have a wish list of a lot of equipment i want to get. But want to wait till after xmas then hopefully get some good bargains in the sales hehehehehe.

I have written some of the basic policies eg health and safety, Child protection, equal ops etc.
Also done a menu and meals and an actvity list
Have all the documents they need to see eg car insurance, passport, birth certificate etc in one place.

Other than also making sure ya have all plug covers, stair gates etc up and the house is clean and tidy i think (hope) thats all there is.

nzshar · 05/12/2005 18:31

Oh and as for them telling you what needs to be done .....as i said to the OFSTED lady that is coming to me when she said "make sure your house is safe and in a ready state to take children in" I replied well its safe as far as im concerned for my 18 month old but that may or may not cover ALL the regulations and thats what i hope she will tell me.

I think i was too worried at first .....now i just think as long as you just be yourself and follow basic common sense then it will be ok.
Good luck

ThePrisoner · 05/12/2005 19:34

If you don't have certain things (equipment, written policies or whatever), just write a list of things that you intend to get/do. I don't think it's essential to have all your policies done for instance, but being aware of them and being able to demonstrate that you have started thinking about or writing them should be fine.

There may be certain things you will need to get at some point depending on the age of your first minded child (double buggy, travel cot ??), so do another list!

The inspector will probably ask you what you have done to ensure your house is safe, rather than just doing to tick-list. That's when you will blow her away with your safety plugs, stairgates, safety-stored cleaning stuff etc (probably what you do already if you have an 18 month old!) Get a fire blanket and ensure you have working smoke alarms.

She won't be a dragon! If she finds something she doesn't like, she'll let you know.

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 21:33

Thanks for your help ladies,
i think i've done most of it but i do need to get another cupboard lock for the bathroom cupboard and a drain cover for outside, when the lady from the early years centre came to look at the house to give me an idea of what i should be doing she said i'd need to find a way to block off the kitchen as its open to the dining room but because there isnt anywhere to put a stairgate im unsure of how i can block it off so if anyone knows of anything that i can fix to one wall but that kinda stands on its own on the other side it would be good iykwim.

if anyone can see what else i've missed please add to this thread, thanks

OP posts:

katymac · 05/12/2005 21:36

What about those roller blind stairgates?

Don't know what they are called tho'

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 21:46

Thanks Katymac i think if i could get something with sucker type things on one side it would be ok its just ive a wall on one side and a washing machine directly oposite so its hard to know what to do.

I've CAT'ed you too

OP posts:

Icemum · 05/12/2005 21:48

What about those babydan gate thingies?
Don't have any dealings with them personally but I know somebody who uses one to seperate her kitchen area from her dining area.

katymac · 05/12/2005 21:49

The roller blind would fit to the wall and a sucker or something to secure it to the W/M?

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 21:57

i've just had a look and they do look good as space is limited it would be good to have something that doesnt get in the way i wasnt thinking of spending £50 a stairgate but if needs must.... i have got a very thin piece of wood next to the washing machine that i could perhaps attach the hooks to then that would be ok, thanks for your help.

OP posts:

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 21:58

Did you get my CAT btw Katymac?

OP posts:

katymac · 05/12/2005 21:59

No it has to hit the MN office and someone forwards it (if it isn't rude or nasty) I'll prob get it tomorrow

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 05/12/2005 22:02

ok np wasnt sure how quickly it worked. getting nervous about standing on my own two feet when it comes to earning the pennies and providing for my family eeeek! im off to bed now as i will have to feed my lo soon (10 weeks old on thursday - cant believe its gone so quick!)

OP posts:

katymac · 06/12/2005 18:14

Haven't got it yet....Do you want me to CAT you later?

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 06/12/2005 21:39

yes please katymac

OP posts:

bambi06 · 06/12/2005 21:43

why do you need to get a stairgate fitted to the kitchen, i`ve never had to have one and i dont even have doors down stairs and my OFSTED said it was fine as long as i have catches on cupboards etc..

ThePrisoner · 06/12/2005 23:19

I had a childminding friend who had an open kitchen/dining area. There was discussion about access to the kitchen area, but she demonstrated how safe her kitchen was (as we are all supposed to do anyway!), and there wasn't a problem.

Original poster

LoveMyGirls · 07/12/2005 08:02

thanks ill leave it and then if they think i need to get one then i will my kitchen is as safe as i can make it without closing it off there are cupboard locks and sharp knifes are kept in a draws with a lock on the only danger is the cooker and my kitchen is so tiny that if im standing in the kitchen when the oven is on then i can easily make sure they stay away from it. If i was cooking something that takesa a long time i could either do an activity at the dining table which isnt far from the cooker about 2 metres so still keep a close eye on the children to make sure they dont go near it or we could go in the living room and shut the dining room door. (does this sound reasonable?)

OP posts:

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