Becoming a childminder - a few questions ...

[Disenchantegg3]

In September I will have 1 child in school fulltime, 1 in playgroup 9-11 and a 9 month old at home.

With this in mind would I be able to take on children to childmnd? How many? I assume 1?

Is the application process hard, what does it entail?

Thankyou.

your first port of call is your local authority. they will point you in the right direction.

depending on the size of your house, you may be allowed 3 children under the age of 8 of which not more than one may be under the age of 5 and because you have your own under a year, that child may not be younger than 12 months.

HTH

Usually OFSTED will allow you six children under eight, including your own kids.

I would advise you not to take on too many kids to start with. Perhaps take on one and see how you feel.

I have four kids of my own 13, 10, 7 and 4. Therefore I have been allowed 4 more kids. I also look after an older child who is not included in the numbers as she is over eight.

Included in my four I have a 12 and 14 month old. Looking after both of them requires a lot of managing as they have different sleeping and eating habbits. It takes some juggling.

Also remember that if you take on kids think about holiday time when you have yours and the minded kids too. That can make it really busy for you.

The application has changed since I started last September. Its not hard but it requires a lot of time and preparation before and after you start. Its getting easier in some ways for me now. If you start dont give up you will get there eventually in your own speed.

I trust that has helped.