Hello ladies, just looking for a bit of reassurance I guess? I am very nearly due my third little person in our lives, having 5 year old twins already and starting to realise I shall be going back to work for very little money at the end of maternity once I pay for childcare of my own! I have slowly started the ball rolling looking into being a CM but was wondering if anyone had recently qualified? How long this took? From what I gather courses I need to do are Cache 3, pediatric F/A, Basic food hygiene and safe guarding? The other worry I have is that there will be lack of work. I have 26 CM in a 3 mile radius and need to look into doing some mystery shopping (Although I'd rather just be honest with them!) To see how full people are and what they charge in our area etc. I am hoping ofstead will allow me to look after at least 3 (But I guess that would included my own LO who would be around 11 months at the time - I assume my twins wouldn't be included as they would be at school?) we live in a 4 bed house and a good sized garden, no pets (oh apart from a bearded dragon) I plan to use entire downstairs and one bedroom as an additional playroom. Any advice or experience would be hugely appreciated. X