Hi Giddy1
Just wanted to let you that your past medical history doesn't always mean your written off. They judge you on how you are now, and consider if the depression is likely to return etc. For example if it was a depression triggered by something traumatic, is it likely to return unless that same trigger happens again.
It took me a long time to get the confidence to just 'go for it' and apply to become a childminder because i basically asumed i would be turned down because i had suffered from severe post natal depression.
I decided to get some experience working with children first and 'test the water' with ofsted by applying as a volunteer at a local creche. This way i was still put through the checks by ofsted, but didn't have to fill in the childminding forms declaring my past medical history.(i was completly honest with the creche i worked for and told them my about my post natal depression)
i was amazed when the letter came through that i was a suitable person to work with children, and that gave me the confidence to then apply to become a cm.
I was asked about my deprssion by the ofsted inspecter on my initial registration and she told me that it is a panel of people who decide whether i would be fit to be a cm, but that she would have a big say in it because she is the one who had met me and talked to me about it.