cmers help please am worried

[mummyquilliam]

help i registered as a childminder in nov last yr and have been looking for work ever since but to no avail although lots of viewings ofsted phoned me last month for the first visit and have put me down as no children on roll how long can i be like this on their system before i would have to resign registration as i am now begining to worry

Just phone Ofsted and check, because they keep changing their rules. Offer to help other local childminders out with holiday cover while you are waiting for work, there may be someone desperate for a week off. Get to know them anyway, so they can pass on work to you.

thats a good idea as i can be ofsteded then i did have one idea my friend has offered me her lo so i can get my grading but i would have to say that i work ad hoc days but would i be able to do this

i thought you could have no owrk for 3 years? if you get worried they take it off you geta friend to hire you for couple of weeks :D

Do you know why you are not getting any work despite lots of viewings - next time someone comes to see you try and get some feedback - why are they going elsewhere - is it your fees, opening hours, lack of experience or something else? You can then work on resolving these issues. I agree though that getting experience in the meantime as an assistant to another childminder would be a good move.

coral: im doing just that working for well;low ish wage with anther assistant but to gain experience and also those mums will (hopefully) recommend me, i did have two children but found the handling of parents hard so have opted to get some experience before starting up again :D

Of course you're allowed to say you do ad hoc days. You are self employed, so you can do what you like. It would be better for your inspection if you have a mindee there for it, even if just for an hour or two, while your friend goes shopping.

thank you going to look into it all and possibly have my friends lo for a week and of june/ july coral i think im up against a lot of day nurseries in area so have extended my hours as well as charging less then i know some others around me also the last few i lost was due to getting nannies or family to do it a few have travelled to me but have said that first and last thing of day would be a prob as im off a big A road which gets deadlocked with traffic in ruch hour

Being off a big A road could well be putting people off I feel. Locals may however be able to walk to you. Are there many families living in your street? Have you done a leaflet drop? Doesn't have to be anything special, just knock up something on your computer, such Bold Title, Paragraph about the service offered. Your location and contact details - could probably get 3 to an A4 sheet. Keep costs low by self-publishing, I did that for many years, eventually getting to a point where I was self producing 12 page A5 booklets.

panic over have phoned ofsted they say that i can have no children and so not working for 3 years he also said that it is down to inspector but she could have come n seen me without having children but would prefer to which is why it has been left like this until i get work so all i can do now is pray for something soon all else failin my friend is due this august and is a teacher and has said when she goes back to work next april if they move closer want me to their lo

not done a leaflet drop as my road is mainly old people think i may have to do surrounding roads and see if i get anything as cards at playgroup dont seem to be working going to go to my local stay and play wed but means not taking my eldest to nursery for am in order to do it but maybe ill find something there fingers crossed

call the council FIS often (every couple of weeks) so that don't forget who you are. Looks like you may be doing that already... last update date appears to be 12-Mar-10. That's nearly 2 months ago now though... so give them a bump. Looks like the online list of childminders in your area is shown Alphabetically - so unless you change your name to Adams or something like that you won't get to the top of that list. However by reminding FIS that you are seeking children, when a parent calls them your name may spring to their mind. Then it's just a case of trying to get parents to overlook the busy road - do you emphasise how secure your home is, how children would not be able to get onto that road?

looks like there is an Expat community in your area. US/Canadian. Maybe see what more you can find out about that from the Mumsnetters in your area - never know, they may know people looking for childcare.

Have you thought about contacting local childminders and offering to cover for their holidays / sick days etc, it would keep you in the loop and add some more experience under your belt.

FWIW I also live on a VERY main road, I figured it may be an issue for some and for those we offer collection / drop off service which works very well, surprisingly most think its great as its a main commuter route, you could also look at wiggling your working hours to avoid peak traffic jam periods, even a half hour either way makes a heck of a difference.

Hi, get yourself a website, even if it is just one page -there are lots where you can do it for free.

I get at least 10 enquires a week from mine, I have a link form the FIS website

Good luck!

Nannynick you are great im quiet new on here but know realise why everyone thinks you are great will go back to my local board and bump post/ see if people can pass my info on my dd starts school sept so will get them to put something in their parent room I love you all mners you are great with the ideas

Hi there,

I have never been busier since putting my details (and photo!) on www.childcare.co.uk. Found it by accident on a google search but I get lots of phonecalls and e-mails.

Also I find parents are very impressed by my 'all about us' book that I have which has pictures and a short description of activities I have done with the children. When I first set up I just had photos of my own children when we went blackberry picking or doing some baking or other play.

I didn't have any children for 2 years as I was trying for a baby and waited till he was 1 before taking on any children and it was all fine with Ofsted.

Carefull not to price yourself too low as parents may not have confidence in you and It is hard to raise the prices later.

and I agree, get to know other childminders, mums at playgroups, or nurseries and school mums if possible. word will get round if you are always friendly and professional.

Hope this helps and good luck!!!