I am actually questioning whether I want to go ahead and be a childminder again. It has jsut been so much F*in hassle .

[saltire]

That's it really

I found that too when i started again last year. So much bloody paperwork.

Is there anything that anyone on MN can help you with? I have copies of all my policies on my computer if that would help.

I ahve all my policies, all my paperwork done. The problem is I moved in June 2007 from Scotland (which is of course a thrid world country with no proper controls of CMs or children's acts or national standards) I ahd been CM for 4/5 years there, adn about 1 -11/2 year in cambridgehsire before then. Was up to date on all training etc. Then I found out I ahd to do everything from scratch, so went on an enrollment course in July, the ICP however wasn't until November, By that point our finances dictated that I needed a job, so got a job, which involed working weekends, so couldn't go on ICP. I am now enrolled on one starting tonight, But the course has been taken over by the local college, so I'm now having to cough up £29.00, plus the NCMA called me today and said that because they had [posted my folder to my tutor they want another £5.99 off me.
I'm already £95 out of pocket with having to fill in my CM1and2 forms and doctors form thing, he charged me £95 for the privelege.
I just think they are all taking the piss and asking myself if it's worth it

No wonder you're so fed up. Thats ridiculous Although i mind I don't go on the CM threads that much so i didn't realise you had been doing it so long.

Will you get any of the money back?

Probably not, I'm going tonight as they told me they could charge me up to £50 if I don't go, same if I don't attend at least 80% of the course.
Just really pissed off with the whole thing

saltire, ring your local council/child care plus, im not in surestart area, but close to some and cos there are only few cm's round here they paid for lots for me inc health dec and ncma membership?..hope you get sorted chick

I can totally sympathise! Going through the same thing (moved from England to Wales). The biggest problems for me are 1) everything is so far away - briefing session, courses, office to hand in forms, and as a non driver it's making things really tricky and 2) the forms I have to fill in here are about 40 pages long!!! The only saving grace is that I don't have to re-do the ICP apart from the Child Protection section.

I am also seriously considering not going through with the registration. I'm off to the DRs tomorrow about the medical declaration and have a feeling that'll be the deal breaker. If they want £95 to tell me there's nothing in my medical notes I won't be very pleased!!!

What job have you been doing at weekends? Do you enjoy it? Is there the possibility of it becoming a full time job?

I've been looking at my options over the last 2 months since moving. I'd really love to still work with small people but maybe not as a CM.

I really feel for you, I remember your threads last year and can't believe you're still having to wait so long for things to be sorted.

I got a Christmas job in a shop, they have kept me on until end of March, less hours than pre Christmas i do quite like it, but I need 2 weeks off at easter, a week in may, several weeks in August and september. I can't see them accomodating me. To pay a CM wouldn't be worth it, i'd pay out more than I was making.
I also am struggling a bit with my Fibromyalgia. It was ok when I was cm'ing, as I could control whcih hours I worked,and if it was bad day we wouldn't go far, just od stories, baking etc at home, but in the shop I find it hard going some days

poor you saltire
its so rubbish for you hope you get a bit sorted tonight

Oh you poor thing, it must be soo frustrating for you!

I agree with rose, I would ring anywhere and everywere and enquire about cm start up grants. Try local network (?), surestart, preschool learning alliance, children's information service.

How old are you DCs? Are they at school? If they are you may be able to get casual work covering other childcarers such as in nurseries and creches during school hours..

Depends on gp how much they charge you, if mine had been £95 I would have changed GPs!!

i'm in the same boat as saltire. have moved from elgin, scotland to norfolk and am ahvng to re-register all over again but when i phone OFSTED they tell me i don't have to re-register and the next day they tell me i do so i have my pre-registration inspection 2morrow and i will ask them what i HAVE to do

abba - its not as if we have arrived from Timbuctoo is it? I don't get why they can't have a "fast track" registration for CM's, especially people like me, who are srevice spoouses. In 18 month time I am moving back to scotland and will have to go through it all again.

Saltire I am sure there is a start-up grant available from your local authority or somewhere.

Ask tonight if any funding is available.

The paperwork is onerous, and set to increase in September

You've done so much already, you can't be far off now and it's what you love doing isnt it? I know it's been dragging on for ages and ages and I would also be so fustrated but to give up now means the momney and effort it's taken to get you this far will all be wasted.

saltire i'm a forces wife again. i was told by care commission that when we move back to scotland all we need to do is tell them that you've moved and they will come and inspect the house and reinstate your certificate.

But i agree, we haven;t come from a foreign country, we just crossed the border. just had my pre-reg certificate and they are happy for me to do the child protection part of the ICP course as she had a look at all my certificates.

might not be worth registering down here if you're moving back up north in 18 months