How hard is it to become a child minder????

[mmmmchocolate]

DD is 9 months old and would really like to start supporting DP and helping out with money etc... Any ideas? Is it hard to become a child minder?

OFSTED are now doing our inspections every 3 years, unless there is cause for concern, and also have a new grading system. I wish we could get everyone to know that good childminders are not glorified babysitters, and it is by no means an "easy" job (well, unless you sub-let your mindees to the TV I guess - why do parents leave their children with such people???) Apart from the obligatory courses needed for registration, we are offered many other training opportunities. We are supposed to work towards certain "educational" standards, but may choose to interpret these in our own way. It can be a very hard job, but is also immensely rewarding.

Oh yes, mmmmChocolate, you can choose your own working hours and could just work part-time (I know many minders that have three-day weekends!), or could opt to offer before or afterschool care only, and you certainly wouldn't have to "fill" all your minding spaces if u chose not to.