Advice on How to Become a Childminder

[TinksandFloris]

I'm thinking of becoming a childminder. I see that the childcarelink.gov site has gone AWOL and have had a look on the NCMA website but to be honest there seems to be some conflicting info!

I'd much appreciate any help anyone has to offer on how to get registered, how long the training takes and anything else that is worth knowing.

Thanks muchly in advance!

You contact your council & get a 'Do you want to be a childminder' evening

Then you get an ICP 6 evenings at 2.5 hrs round here plus a full day Child Protection

Then food hygiene (1 day) & first Aid (2 days)

But as soon as your first aid is done you can send off your form (EY1)

Expect that to take from 12 weeks to 9 months to get registered - can depend upon how many places(countries even) you have lived in plus how fast your GP sends his bit of the form in

Once it's on it's way you get a visit from an inspector - you don't have to be ready just have to have a list of what you are going to do/buy

Oh thanks for that. What is an ICP if you don't mind me asking?

Bromley CMA - the information here is a little out of date but the site as a whole has a lost of information generally about childminding.

Current registration procedure I think is:

1. Attend a local authority briefing.
2. Complete the paperwork they give you, think this may be given during/at end of the Introducting to Childminding Practice course.
3. Ofsted process your application (target I think is 12 weeks still, though in reality it can take a lot longer... how long, well how long is a piece of string? Delays often are to do with background checks such as CRB check, Health check).
4. At some point you do a First Aid course.

From initial enquiry to being registered, I suspect it is typically 4 to 8 months.

EYFS documents can be found on TeacherNet The key documents are: EYFS Statutory Framework May 2008, EYFS Practice Guidance May 2008.

Ofsted have forms and guidance available - see Registration

You will find a lot of information about this topic within the message threads of this section of Mumsnet. Use Advanced Search (if it's working, BigTech was playing with it recently) to locate things, such as using keywords like: registration, Ofsted, EYFS, inspection

Ask yourself the question: Why do I want to be a childminder?
Childminding is a business which operates from your home. You need to like children... not just your own children but other peoples. You need to be extremely patient, have a fairly relaxed attitude when around children but know when to be firm, be well organised, not be scared of paperwork including financial paperwork, plus not mind your house getting messy. Also consider your own children... they may or may not take well to other children constantly being in their home. Involve all the family in the decision to become a childminder, as it will affect all of them.

Gosh, so many errors in that last post of mine. Must be more tired that I think!

ICP: Introduction to Childminding Practice
ChildmindingHelp: ICP

Slight Hijack - Nick have you seen these - would OFSTED like?

Ofsted seem to like any things to do with Diversity. So something to help a Jewish child celebrate Chanukah (festival of lights) and/or teach other children about festivals in the Jewish religion may be liked by an Ofsted inspector.

Tinks, that is something else as a childminder you will need to start to know about... various religions other than your own. You will also need to have play things showing different ethnicity, genders (but avoiding gender stereotyping) and disabilities.

Not criticising in the slightest but there is something horribly sad about linking to a toy/set/resource and rather than thinking 'would the children like it' having to think about whether OFSTED will like.

Having said that, Katy, am sure OFSTED would love it.

frakkinaround it might sound silly but I can buy toys by the shed load that the children will like - mine have a particular affinity for role play (& books) but in order to allow a toy space (which is very limited) it needs to tick several boxes

For that toy it's diversity, numeracy, role play combined with a book we have literacy & hopefully PSE leading to respect for other cultures

Why do you have to do all that? Why?!!!!

Am slightly on your behalf now.

This is relevent to Tinks

I am required by law to administer the EYFS - which is a curriculum for under 5's

& it is bloody hard work tbh

Oh I know you are (which is why I'm not a CM and never will be!) but it's just so, so sad.

The 'why' is directed at the powers-that-be in Westminster who decided you should have to.

Oh I see - sorry

It doesn't hurt the children - they just get more thoughtful toys (I hope)

But it creates lots of stress for you - I bet the children don't even notice.

They'll love that toy anyway and it does provide good learning opportunities, but it just seems such a shame you waste time and energy thinking what toys can earn a space in your toybox.

Hijack over, OP!

Do you think EYFS is hard work Katymac? I don't - I actually find it has made my job easier!

for lots of info (to the OP) have you checked out www.childmindinghelp.co.uk (and the forum section).

Are you doing it for 17 children?

Wow, quite a lot of information to process there!

Another question.....I had postnatal depression with both of my children. I'm not planning on having any more as I have difficult pregnancies.

Will Ofsted allow me to register because of the PND?

No PND shouldn't make a difference.

Katymac - currently I only have 5 EYFS kids but earlier this year (back up to the start of EYFS) I was doing EYFS for 12 children at several different other Settings as well. Even with that amount of children I still found that.

I still think that EYFS makes the job easier for me as a minder and my comment was about a general overview. It certainly wasn't meant to be a sarky question so I am sorry that if it has been misconstrued. I suppose it depends on how you interpret and implement EYFS as well. I am genuinely interested in how people perceive EYFS.

I guess I'm feeling a bit down about it all atm - way too much work for one person

Sorry to Hi-Jack, as you will see it is 8.30pm and I have just finished typing up some Learning Journey bits. Children arrived at 7.30am, which means getting up earlier to orgaise everything ready for the day, as well as deal with my own children's lunchboxes etc. (which I can't do at night as I'm so knackered). I have spent all day doing activities with the children. I do a daily diary for each child (4 today) which at best take 10-15 mins so over 1 hour extra, as well as their learning journey's. I can't do these during the day as not all the children sleep or rest, so do not get the chance. The last leaves at around 6.15pm. After a general clear up and prep for tomorrow, dealt with my 12 year DH who had a breakdown over her maths homework and bath 7y DH, I grabbed a V Large G&T and have sat here finishing paperwork. I do the same job as I used to B-EYFS and yet my papework seems uncontrolable. All this for less than minimum wage. (I have just done my tax return).

I am shattered.

Katymac - (and others) :D - come and have a look for lots of support and fun on www.childmindingforum.co.uk

Hi.
I am a carer in Australia. We are just beginning on the road with our version of EYFS, called EYLF (early years learning framework).

Lots of carers are panicking.
If you have working knowledge of EYFS the members on www.daycarer.com would love you to help them through what looks like a minefield. I fear many carers may choose to leave the industry rather than tackle the paperwork.

auschildcarer - www.childmindinghelp.co.uk is a fab site.