Planning on becoming a CM - help please

[Pinner35]

I'm planning to become a CM and I've completed the DHC and the first aid courses. My next step is to complete the OFSTED application form, but I have a few questions :

1. it says on the form that OFSTED will visit within 2-4 weeks of receiving the application. What exactly will I need to have prepared for the visit? Does my house need to be ready as if I was starting tomorrow? (I only ask as I'm having some building work done at the mo). Or can I document what I need / am planning to do and show this to the inspector?

2. Do I need policies and practices ready and documented?

3. I wanted to start CM'ing from September, as my first mindee is an after schoolie. Plus I'm pg, due in May. Am I applying too far in advance or is there a timeline between completing the courses and becoming registered?

If anyone can help here I would really appreciate it (and if there's anything else I need to know I'm grateful for all info.)

Thx

The first visit is more of a safety check / suitability check, the inspector will ask you about how you intend to care for mindees and talk to you about safety and point out any areas that they feel should be addressed before you start. You then get the full works within 6 months of registering (once you have a mindee that is).

If you have policys etc thats great, always better to have as much done as possible as when the mindees start to arrive you will be a bit streatched for time.

Might be a good idea to do a risk assessment of your house inside / out, this shows that you have thought about things and highlighted anything that needs doing, even if it's not done yet.

Depending on what kind of building work you are having done they may require you to complete it before you can start minding, when you are registered you will need to contact Ofsted prior to major building work as this could affect your registration and it will need to be risk assessed. So prob a good thing its underway now.

Registration can take quite a while (mine was 6mths +) so I think you are right to register now, once you have your Reg you can start minding when it suits you

Thanks for your reply. I have thought about risk assessments and also an emergency fire plan too. The building work is a garage conversion so it will be complete hopefully before my baby arrives, never mind when I start CM'ing! OK, I think I'll go ahead and complete the forms and take it from there. Thanks again.....I think I'm going to appear on this forum quite a bit.