At your initial inspection (if you haven't had it already) they mainly check you are suitable person, do CRB form, check your house out (doesn't matter if not everything in place as you can say eg 'I will have stairgate tehre' etc.)
After approx 6 months, they come round for a full inspection where they observe you with mindees, look at your paperwork (policies, accident book, diaries etc) and then assess you on what they've seen/read/you've talked about.
I know childminders differ re holiays etc. As you are self-employed it is up to you to set. Some get paid holiday, some don't (I don't but then am an ad-hoc minder with children as and when (mainly friends) need me), mindee hols you can charge or not, again up to you, probably most cms do charge. Sickness, again, up to you, I don't if me or dd ill, do full or half-rate if mindee ill.
One of mine (a morning school run only) pays me via Busy Bees, works fine as just goes straight in my bank account.
Meals, up to you and whether or not you charge separate. I do brek and lunch included in fee, cooked meal is extra. I roughly worked out what average meals cost and charge flat rate and this goes in accounts book too. For babies, I would suggest parents bring bottles/formula/jars otherwise is a lot of work for you! Same with nappies, either supply a change bag with baby every time they come or give you supply of nappies/wipes/bags/clothes etc.
Re classes/clubs/groups, where mindee parents agree to you taking mindee along then charge on top of your fee.
Hmmm, 'what I wish I'd known in the beginning'...could write chapter and verse on that!! Only (half) kidding! Lots of paperwork, some parents (and mindees) can be a nightmare - I would always do an eg 4 week period to start with where if it's not working out from either side then the arrangement can stop with no notice. However most parents and mindees are great! It is a rewarding job, playing with children, taking them places (library, toddler groups, music groups, farms, soft play etc etc) and seeing them develop and build a good relationship with you!
I've been minding for nearly 3 years, mostly on ad-hoc basis apart from a school run and 18 months of mostly 3-days a week (and that mindee is starting back in May with her baby brother!!), so someone with more experience may be able to add to this!!
Good luck, try to meet other childminders in your area (great to get together and chat!) and use mumsnet!!