I think i'd like to be a childminder, how do i get started?

[kikid]

I think that i could manage to look after another child, i have an only one!

Is the registration process straightforward?
i have lots of experience & can drive, perhaps a school aged child may be better to start with? How old do your own children need to be to childmind /is there a minimum?

Sorry this will have been done before but any suggestions/ideas gratefully recieved!!

I think your child just counts towards your numbers. But there is no age requirement. I think registration is a real PITA. But if you enjoy looking after children, it can be a good job. And, depending on where you live, it can be pretty lucrative.

Hi, i'm just starting the registration process.
Best way to start is to contact your local Childcare services usually under your local authority.
The courses in my area run for 8 weeks and it is the first part of the "Diploma in Home Based childcare", at the end of it we have to take an exam and we MUST pass before we can even send in our forms for the pre-registration visit.
At the pre-registration visit, an inspector comes to your home and makes sure you are suitable to look after children, you have to have a CRB check as well (usually done beforehand), then they check that you know all the policies and will help you with any questions...they are supposed to be quite friendly actually.
Then they will inspect your home and garden and see what rooms you want to register and they will give you a list of things that need doing and then you can give them YOUR wish list of things you may need.
Some areas give grants but not all.
You also need to book yourself onto a first aid course for children and this you need to pay for yourself.
All of this can take the best part of 6 months or more, but if you're in a good area with lots of demand then you're laughing all the way to the bank .
WWW.chilcarelink.org.uk is a good place to start also www.ncma.org.uk.
Good luck.

Thank for that, i will take a look at those sites too.

It does take a while to sort out then!

Just to add another usefull site for general childminding chat (very informative)
www.childmindingforum.co.uk