CMs - what kind of property are you in?

[glitternanny]

Hi,

I'm just thinking out loud really - I'm nannying at the moment full-time but with my own 6month old son - I know one job will probably end at the end of the year and the other next September.

I've been nannying since 2006 and in childcare since 2004, I am now 32 and Im thinking about turning my hand to childminding and at some point trying for another LO.

We live in the catchment area of 3 schools and I would need to ask around see if there is any demand.

BUT my biggest question i think is that we live in a split level maisonette. There is a security door at ground level then you come in 2 flights of stairs and enter the property there. We have 3 outdoor spaces really, all concrete, one a shared balcony with our neighbours (both families at the moment) and then one at the back of the top level, and one at the back where the bedroom are.

Obviously the properly would be childproof by then as my son starts to move. I'm just thinking practically for getting children out to the car and having a suitable outdoor space.

Any thoughts gratefully appreciated.

I am in a mid terraced, 3 bed house with paved back yard. I have not been inspected in this property yet, so not sure what OFSTED (hallowed be their name) will say about that!

Im in a very large rented 4 bed semi. I have a room just for childminding in but the children do have use of our living room too.

Outside in the back I have a huge garden but have decided not to register this as fencing is in bad condition, patio flags need attention and bushes are overgrown. Plus 3 of the outbuildings have glass doors. I couldn't be bothered with the risk assessment.

The children play in the front and side garden which is block paved and flat.

I think Ofsted will be fine with your house glitterynanny as long as you can show what measures you have in place to keep the children safe when entering and leaving the property and generally moving around.

With regards to your outside space - a fellow childminder has no garden, just a small yard and Ofsted were happy when she said that she took mindees to the local playing field at the back of her house every day for outdoor play.

I think your biggest problem will be with parents. Some parents can't see past your facilities and see the bigger picture ie the care you are going to be providing.
Often prospective parents chose me over other local childminders purely on the fact that I have a big house and garden.

hth

I live in a 3 bed semi
the only room upstairs to be registered is my bedroom and on suite,
I didnt want my kids room registered, simply because when I 1st started minding my boys ' were a lot older than the minded children, and their 'toys' not suitable for LOs, also I felt they needed somewhere to chill out after school etc
Down stair we have a dining room, a lounge, the kitchen.
Out side we have a reasonable sized garden on 3 levels,
patio and decking on the 1st and grassed area on the 2nd, the 3rd level belongs to hubbie and his crap stuff so kids not allowed up there.

I always understood that you didnt need to have outdoor space specifically, and that going outdoors say to the park regularly was enough?

I currently cm in a 2 bed house with no access to the garden.

I originally registered in a one bed, first floor flat then moved to a two bed, second floor flat. Neither had a garden but all places I have CMed in have been fairly close to a park/playground.

I'm in a small 3 bed semi with a small garden. When I initially registered my garden didn't 'pass' but the CSSIW (I'm in Wales and we don't have Ofsted) were happy with that as long as took the children out every day. The garden is sorted now and it is a lot easier to have that outdoor space on the days when I have 2 two year olds and a 3 year old and a trip to the park would be a bit of a logistical nightmare!