Want to be a childminder

[jofeb04]

Hiya all,
I'm looking at becoming a childminder, as there is nothing in the area i live in (welsh valleys!). However, i have no idea on the best way to do this, i.e, what qualifications do u need, how to become registered, insurance needed etc). What do u do in the day?
Any advice will be greatfully recieved.

I am sorry if this is a hijack, but it's relevant...
I am currently using an unregistered childminder. Please don't tell me off, I hate it, we have to be very discreet. She is terrific with my children, she used to be a nanny. She is the 3rd childminder I have had (the other cms were legitimate) and the best cm as well. She has completed all the courses, all the paperwork. She sent her forms to Ofsted 4 months ago... last time she rang they said that they would make a decision for her in June. I just couldn't wait that long and I didn't like any of the registered childminers in this area -- or they didn't have places.

Is that normal? That Ofsted can take 5 months or more to make a decision?

I am supposed to be a reference for this lady in her application to Ofsted, but Ofsted haven't phoned me or anything!! Is that normal, too?

veryanon - ofsted can take their own sweet time but do be careful.

In the reference they will ask you in what capacity you know her....how will you reply

OFSTED can be hurried up - but it requires the careful coaxing of the C/Mer (or potential C/Mer)

Try to encourage her to contact them regularily and keep checking to see if she is registered.

Remember what you are doing is illegal and could affect her being registered in the future. So you may end up without a C/Mer in the end anyway.

Are you sure she has applied?

I will tell Ofsted that she has babysat for me many times (because I want her to get to know my children, because I want to use her as a cmer when she does become legal....) & occasionally picks my son up from school, the little bits (is it 2 hours/week?) that a person can do without being registered.

I guess she could be lying about applying but everything she tells me leads me to believe she really has completed the courses, really has applied.

If she doesn't become registered then I will just have to quit my job. I don't want to explain why because I need to stay anon, but there is no other acceptable childcare locally.

Up to 2 hrs a day

Babysitting would be in your house

If she has done the ICp or the 1st aid she should have certificates to show you. At the very least she should have the forms asking her to phone for a CRB check - if not letters etc

Remember she will have no insurance

and if she gets caught - she maybe prevented from being a C/Mer or working with children.

I know, KatieMac. That's why I hate it. I think I am criminally liable, too. There really wasn't an alternative if I wanted to go back to work after maternity leave.

I have met registered childminders who were terrible, though. Just before I went with my unregis-cmer I was desperate enough I was going to try the only regis.cmer I could find who had spaces, and... even though my son complained (loudly) that she had no toys in her house. I was desperate enough to try her anyway, but since then (lucky escape) I have heard that she was once reported for abuse/neglect.... The police couldn't stick anything on her, but the mother telling me this said that this cmer kept such a tidy house that she didn't let the children play. And yet, although tidy, her house really stank, it was mildewy rank. She's not the first regis.cmer that I have met with a stinky or filthy house. Some of the local cmers (I have met many) complain that other cmers are too fat and lazy to play with the children or provide a nice environment for them to play in.

Another local cmer who is quite nice (but very busy, couldn't take my children), her husband (yes, he does live in the same house) has a criminal record (he got into a fight, was done for affray).

So you can't guarantee that a registered cmer is any good. I decided that I had to go with my gut feeling about whether I could trust her, and both DH and I feel that our unregist. cmer is simply wonderful. Just hope she gets approved soon. I can't believe how slow Ofsted has been

Yes, she does have the first aid certificate, I am remembering now, she has it up on the wall framed already.

Is there a Childminding Network in your area?
Try the SureStart people - they would know

It's terrrible that you have had such a bad experience with C/mers - most of us are very good (according to OFSTED).

I'm a network C/Mer this means I have someone coming in every 6 to 8 weeks to check what I'm doing- I think it gives the parents real peace of mind - to know that I'm check so regularily