Help with becoming a childminder

[Florin]

Hi, wondered if anyone can help me?
My dh and I have decided we want to start a family so are going to start ttc from about April. Financially me not working at all is not possibly and as i have always had an interest in working in childcare I thought becoming a childminder would be perfect as could look after my baby as well as earning a small amount. Tried looking at training through council but they only offer the course every thursday for 5 weeks which is obviously impossible for me in a full time job as would look very dodgy to my present employer. Found an evening course in at Orpington college however it is in January until march. Even if I got dropped pregnant first time(unlikely I know) in April wouldn't have baby till jan so wouldn't look to start childminding until April/may 2011 time at the very earliest so would be just over a year from taking course. I know between doing course and taking mindees got to do crb checks, first aid course ofsted etc but is there any maximum time between doing the course and taking ur mindee. I know this all seems far in advance but to start having children I need to get this all sorted plus don't want to be doing the course in a rush when I am heavily pregnant or with a new baby. Any help greatly appreciated!

Not sure if there is a maximum amount of time between doing the ICP course and taking on a child - but I feel it's going to be tricky if you do the ICP and don't actually register with Ofsted towards the end of that course, as things could change over a period of time. Things do change... Ofsted has a mind of it's own, as do DCSF and they change things, sometimes minor, sometimes major... like adding Birth to Three Matters and then EYFS.

What work are you currently doing? You say you have an interest in working with children but I'm getting the impression (rightly or wrongly) that you don't currently work with children. What prior experience of caring for other people's children do you have? Helped at playgroup, brownies/rainbows, cubs/beavers, other youth groups when you were younger?

Trying for a baby sounds like a good step for your relationship... however it may not go completely to plan. Things can go wrong... so I don't think that it would be wise to do much until your baby is born.
If however you are made redundant from your job and want to then pursue the opportunity to childmind, then if finances allow you could do the required training and see how things go.
So for now, I would suggest:
Save up as much money as possible - babies cost lots! Plus to become a childminder you will need to buy some equipment. Plus if you decide to become a childminder before having your baby, then you need to have a financial cushion to tide you over the period of time when you won't be earning any money, plus the first year or so of childminding when you may not have much of an income (obviously dependent on how quickly you are able to fill your childcare spaces).
See what happens with regard to conceiving and take things as they come. Once baby is born - your employer with luck will give you maternity pay, so you will be off for a while after your babies birth - then consider doing the training, as that could be done while still on maternity leave. Then near the end of the course make the finial decision and tell your employer you won't be returning to work, or want to only do part-time, or whatever.