Thinking of childminding...advice please

[sillyoldfatcatpuss]

Background is that I have been a SAHM for 6 years, 3 children of my own - 2 at school, youngest 2.5. I run a bed and breakfast - season runs May-September.

I need to supplement my income especially in winter months when B&B dries up. I wouldn't be able to take on pre-schoolers as my morning is very much taken up with breakfasts, seeing guests out, preparing rooms etc.

In a nutshell I was wondering how feasible it would be to only offer after school care? I could do this year round I think. Does anyone do this? Does it work?

Very grateful for any advice as my poor head is spinning.

I don't know if your current business will affect your possible registration. With the nature of B&B you will have people in and out who you don't know, I'm presuming that they will not be key holders, therefore you will have to be available to let them in and out, unless of course you have someone who works for you. If Ofsted agree to register you, you will have to do numerous Risk assessments relating to your current business as well as the ones needed for CM's, personally I think the safeguarding issues will be a problem. At the back of my head I seem to remember something in the regulations about not running another business from the same premises, as CM,s can only work on domestic premises and obv, although you live where you work technically you live on business (non-domestic) premises. But I may be wrong, I think your first port of call is to contact Ofsted and ask the question in principle.

You have 2 children at school, I would ask around what the chance of your service being used as you may only be able to pick up from your own children's school.
Is there an afterschool club and what is the uptake.
Go and have a word with the headteacher they may already have enquiries from new parents in september.
Are you thinking of only offering care to the over 7's as you don't have to then offer the eyfs to the reception class or are you thinking of registering as a childminder. Have a look on the ofsted website as to the different registers, and ask about outside school.

Thanks both, good advice and very good point about the safeguarding, will check it out.

When I first read this I thought there is no way Oftsed will register you running a B&B due to safeguarding and the risks of guests, But if you have a seperate flat and can prove children will not come into contact with guests and you will not carry out any duties for B&B when you have the children its possible they may register you, give Ofsted a ring