Becoming a childminder

[philbee]

Hi all. I'm just after some starter tips really. DD will start school in Sept. I work one day a week in an office now and have asked for two but not sure I'll get it. I'd like to be at home to collect her from school and have thought about investigating childminding. I have looked after DD and friends' children and enjoy it, and used to work at a holiday playscheme as a teenager.

Where should I start (I've had a look at the NCMA site already) and what do I need to consider? Should I try to get some volunteering experience? Is it possible to child mind part time? This would be a long term plan to try to get set up over the next few years and do until DD is nearly finished at primary school. I am hoping long long term to train as an OT but the time is too difficult while DD is still young. Thanks for all advice.

Hi Philbee,
I'm a little bit further along the process - all my paperwork is currently with Ofsted. I'm planning on offering part-time, term-term only and have already had some enquiries, even though I am not yet registered. I think it depends on provision in your area really.
I would start by ringing your council/Family Information Service and book on to a briefing session if they offer them. They will give you more information and tell you what they think the need is like in your area. Mine provided an "Is childminding for me?" session, which was useful and let me ask questions of experienced childminders. Good luck with it. By the way, you can do all the forms etc online direct with Ofsted - you don't have to apply after completing your council's training course, even though they may lead you to believe that. Some councils require you to do their course, others will accept different ones. I am currently doing the CYPOP5 course online through the NCMA....

If you're just starting out you might find this resource site handy.