Thinking of becoming a childminder but have a few questions

[MrsMorgan]

I have actually childminded before, but this was about 10 years ago, so things were very different then.

I am a single mum and have three children of my own, who are 12,10 and 7.

Firstly, how long typically, does it take from start to finnish to become registered ??

Secondly, the only thing currently putting me off is school holidays. Obviously i'd have my 3 and then childminded children and getting out and about would be a bit hard. I know I can take some of the holidays off (and not get paid), but am slightly worried about my own children being annoyed that we can't go on days out etc.
How many weeks holiday do you generally take a year ?

I did think about doing term time only but I think that would be quite restrictive in terms of attracting clients.

Maybe you could just do term-time? The NCMA recomends that you take at least 4 weeks holiday off a year, BUT you will find yourself sometimes putting other people's needs ahead of your own, especially at Xmas.
I only do term-time as it's not my main job and I childmind term-time only.
Remember also, you need to comply with the EYFS, register on the 3 childcare registers and know the differences, register as a food premises and compile 'learning journeys' for all children who are under 5 yrs old.
It will be VERY different from what you knew all those years ago.
If you don't like the paperwork, then it may be best to be a live-out nanny or a home childminder, where you mind from the child's home.
Best to go to your local council and find out when the next course is due.
You also have to pass an exam, the first part of the DHC and then there is the eternity of CRB checks that can go on for months....expect at least 6-8 months before you can even start.

I had heard that it was now alot more complicated/invloved than before, but I like a chalenge lol.

Can you still be registered to only use the downstairs and garden of your house ? Or does it now have to include the whole house ?

I have a downstairs toilet so there wouldn't be any need for childminded children to go upstairs.

You can register whatever parts of your house you wish, although if you do register all of it you can pick and choose which bits you do use. It would be handy to have the upstairs loo registered incase of a blockage downstairs for eg, but whether mindees use it or not is entirely up to you.

Thanks, good point about the loo.