Questions ofr Childminder Pre-registration Briefing

[CallaCate]

Hi all,

I am working to get registered as a childminder at the moment and going to the pre-registration briefing (to start the Ofsted application process) on Friday. They've asked us to research some questions in preparation but I have no idea where to get this info - can anyone help?

The questions are about whether parents work shifts, full or part time, how soon they go back to work after having babies and what kind of services they need (baby, toddler, out-of-hours, overnight, full/half days, special needs etc.)

TBH I think the important thing is what I'm willing to offer, but I want to turn up prepared to make a good impression

Thanks!

I think they are trying to see if there is a demand for childcare you can fulfil, ask you friends/mums at the school gate etc just to get an idea.

Say all the employers locally do night shifts - are you prepared to work nights or is there a big employer who has shifts starting at 7 would you take the children from 6:30

I don't think they're going to expect you to do a large amount of market research - just like Katy said, get a feel for the local market.

I personally wouldn't do any work at all in preparation, complete waste of time imo as the pre-registration thing is purely them letting you know a bit about the commitments you're making when you're taking on being a CM such as paperwork, tax returns etc.

You can't answer those questions accurately, families are all different and it is difficult to anticipate what sort of enquiries may or may not come in. If you live near a hospital or a fire station, for example you may assume you could get lots of shift work enquiries. If you live near a college/university you may prepare yourself for working with young parents. But these places may already have creches/nurseries on the premises or links with existing services. But by thinking generally about the potential needs of different families, you can start to shape the way your business will work, assess your own strengths and weaknesses and see if there are areas you may need support.

You can start thinking about what you are prepared to do (and not do!) in terms of overnight care, opening hours, meals etc. But you do not have to make any firm decisions yet, and any decision you do make can be reviewed at any time.

What you also need to know is the support you can get in your area eg,

• can you get allocated a Childminding Buddy, how could they support you?
• where is your nearest local childminder drop in group
• where your EYDCP is and what they do?
• who your Development Worker is and how they can support you?
• where is your nearest childminding network and what's involved if you wanted to join?
• are start up grants available?

you could get a questionairre and get some parents to fill it out

wdo you think there is a need for affordable friendy local childcare etc

Thanks for your help. I think I was finding it difficult because there is no particular local employer creating certain needs, I think we have a pretty average spread of people working part and full time around here, and of course people have babies, toddlers and older kids! (Some of the questions were a little silly...)

I have done what I originally thought made sense and made some notes on what I'm willing to do instead.