New childminder application - forms query please

[Runoutofideas]

I am in the process of trawling through all of the forms to make my application. Yesterday I printed off the Health Declaration Booklet and filled it in and took it to my GP. It says the GP should send it off in the envelope provded, but seeing as I printed it off the Ofsted website, there is no envelope. Should I just collect it from the GP and submit it with my other application forms, or does it need to go separately, and if so does anyone know where it should be sent? Many thanks

We were told to send it with the other forms so it didn't get lost.

Thanks South - have just rung ofsted to check and they said the same. My doctors are confused over what to charge me for filling in the form. Is it down to individual surgeries, or are their guidelines anywhere?

Upto the individual surgery mine was £90 ish 2 years ago. Remember it's a business expense too so keep your receipt!

Definitely send it all in one envelope - less stuff for them to lose.

The amount they can charge is up to the surgery, with a cap of around £90! My (then) surgery wanted to charge £87.50, the surgery nearest my house charged £35. I changed doctors.

Thanks - the doctors said this morning "It looks like it could be £87" but they were really vague and confused and I'm hoping they just forget about it!

My surgery charges around 80.00 too but luckily my doctor didn't charge me anything. Sent her a box of chocolates.

Have just booked my first aid course with Tigerlily Training - I assume that's ok? It says it is Intensive Paediatric First Aid - Ofsted suitable.....

Hope I can get it for the cost of a box of chocolates gardenpixies! The irony is, that because I rarely go to the docs, they don't really know me!

The BMA suggest a fee of £87.50, but this is not mandatory. If you are being charged more show them that web page, if less pay up, say thank you and walk away quietly :)

Mine hadn't ever heard of the form and said they didn't think they'd charge anything but would look it up. £87 takes the piss don't you think? To tick some flippin boxes - another one who would be pleased with the cost of a box of chocs

I've got my health declaration - they did it for free

Well done - My dh has just gone to pick mine up from the doctors'. They are charging me £30, which isn't as bad as it could've been....

Definitely better than £87!

It's all in the post - eek! No just terrified that they will ignore my request to not contact my current employer. Fingers crossed cause I'll be in the do-do. Feeling guilty enough as it is!

Mine should go in the post tomorrow. Just waiting for one of my references to appear. Hope they don't cause you any problems at work. When are you planning on stopping? I'm currently a SAHM so don't have that problem.

Thanks - will keep you posted! Oooh yes, money - that'll be fun, after seven years of earning nothing! Hope you get it sorted as soon as you want as your job situation sounds a nightmare.

What happened there?!

Goodness knows !!!

But anyway, yes - it is a bit of a nightmare. I had a day off on Monday with DD and other than walking the dog I basically worked all day - horrid, horrid.

Fingers crossed they move our applications quickly eh x

Gah, I'm sure my LA lady is a very nice person and i know she is just trying to do her job but in response to the questions I asked her a few days ago she has writen me a list of how to become a childminder that goes like this:

1. Attend a Briefing Session
2. Attend an Induction Evening (this is where you will complete application forms and do basic numeracy and literacy skills tests)
3. Attend the Preparation Course
4. A member of the EYFS team will visit your home and do a Pre-Inspection home visit (ensuring your home is safe to childmind)
5. Complete any actions that have been advised by member of EYFS team
6. Send off completed application forms
7. Ofsted visit
8. Wait for Registration Certificate to arrive
9. Once Registration Certificate arrives you will need to arrange Public Liability Insurance

10. You are now ready to Childmind 11. Once you are childminding call a member of the EYFS team who will do a Pre-Inspection Ofsted graded visit

For a start this doesn't mention First aid or health declaration - presumably I have to wait until step 2 (mid-May!) to be given this knowledge. The at the bottom she talks about how I can register directly with Ofsted and complete the prep course within 6 weeks. But doesn't spell out the fact that it is okay. I literally hate people manipulating me and my buttons are well and truly pushed by this list.

Anyway as I say, I'm sure she's a nice person and we all have our agencdas - she's probably got some hideous targets to meet whereby she needs to have certain number of clients through her door else lose her job or something. I do feel for her but jeees!

Oh it is so frustrating when you feel you are being pushed around or that you are not being told the whole truth. I found with our LA that I had to ask very specific questions to get the answers I needed, such as "Is it ok to register direct with Ofsted?" and "Is your course the only one which is deemed acceptable?" "Is it compulsory to attend your pre-reg briefing?" etc..... I have had yet another enquiry today. That's 4 families so far from my netmums ad! I'm being a bit picky about the hours I'll take on though....