How long does it take to become a childminder?

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

Hi all, could anyone tell me how long it would take to become a registerd Childminder. I've got the 'step' involved from the NCMA website but it doesn't give any time frames. Whats the quickest anyone has done it in?

thanks

That is a like a how long is a piece of string question - lol.

It may take 12 weeks, it may take longer. When I was processing applications, the aim was 12 weeks... some did go through in that time, others did not. The CRB check(s) are the typical delay point - if you haven't moved in the past 10 years, then it may happen within 10-12 weeks.

oh thats good news. thanks for that.

Mine took 3 months... this included police checks for me and hubby in the UK AND the country I lived in before - and the latter was the biggest delay... so things were quick this side. Good luck!

Mine took 8 months. Ofsted lost forms, made 3 visits as they kept forgetting to ask things.

8 months! ahh that could be a problem. no changes of address in over 10 years so hoping thats on side. hmmmm, will have to get the ball rolling pretty damn quick i think. thanks

in my county you have to attend a pre information session (funded) before they will even start you on the application process, by the time i got a 1st aid course etc it was 12 months start to finish, ofsted registration only took 8 weeks though. Best to speak to your local childcare team, they will tell you what you need to do before you can register.

It took 6mths for me- I'm with CSSIW and not OFSTED because I live in North Wales. The CRB check for my partner took aaaages otherwise I would have completed in about 4mths.

Then there is the wait to get mindees. You may be lucky and have a few lined up already or you may have to wait a while before you get any interest.

It all depends. I was waiting 2 months before I had anybody sign with me. Got a few time wasters before then. 2 months with only one income is tough.

I just started back off maternity leave 4 weeks ago and have had some interest but it's been really quiet. Only this week have I had someone sign with me. Good luck.

its not actually for me. Its for my MIL to get registerd so she can have my two, so i can go to work. I've found another mindee for her thats not related so she can be a proper childminder and i can claim the childcare costs back. I relly dont want to leave my little one with anyone else so im getting a bit worried bout how much longer i could have to be out of work. hmmmm, this isnt going to work.

For me it was 6 months from the start of ICP to recieving reg certificate. In our county they won't even give you the forms to send to ofsted until you have completed the ICP course. CRB took ages, like 4 months, to come back for no paticular reason.

Mine took about 4 months but that was because I could make all the dates of the training/First Aid etc. But I know people who started out the same time as me, who took alot longer. They could'nt make all the dates plus some of their courses were cancelled and had to wait ages to get onto another course.
It also depends on how quickly your CRB check comes through too.

well you first have to go on a talk thing (last 2 hours I think) called is childminding for me - these talks where I live are on once every 2 months.

Then you have to go on a briefing where they tell you all about ofsted, again these are one every 2 months and they last about 2 hours.

Then you have to do an ICP course, that's 8 weeks or 9 if you do the exam. The course last for 2 hours one night a week for 9 weeks where I live. They run the ICP course every 3 months.

Then you have to register with Ofsted which they say on their website takes 12 weeks - it took me nealy 5 months when I registered with them as a nanny, so best to just think 12 weeks minimum IME.

HTH

BabyDubs I didn't think you could get help from Tax Credits if a member of your family was looking after your child?