Becoming a childminder

[laurajo24]

If there is anyone out there that has done this, could you give me a basic run down of what training is involved? The website is really confusing me! I am a trained primary school teacher already - will that help in any way?
Are there any websites that explain everything clearly?

Thanks x

 

[Mrs R]

In N.Ireland, I'm pretty sure it doesn't take long to get registered. Might be slightly different in England. Here you need to provide all your documents for police checks etc, do your training, which I think is a few evenings over a few weeks (maybe 8-10 hours in total), get your insurance and have the house inspected to make sure it's suitable.

That's about it

 

[little_lady]

Hi Laura, I have just registered as a childminder as of May this year.

I made my first enquiry in December 2011, and had to wait until February to get put onto a "briefing course", which is a 3 hour introduction to childminding. Then I did a one day a week course for 4 weeks, at my local college. These were both free, as my council covers the cost. I also had to complete a 2 day Paediatric first aid course, a CRB check and a doctor's check, which in total cost me roughly £100.

Unfortunately, being a qualified teacher doesn't help you at all, unless you are first aid qualified already, and I suppose you will have a current CRB check. But you will still need to complete the courses.

I am in Kent, and as I understand it different counties do things slightly differently, not sure about Coventry. Also be aware that all the guidelines for childminders are changing from September so if I were you I would wait until after then to get started. As it is, I will have to go on a course to get updated in September!

One other thing - I thought I could get work fairly quickly but I'm actually sitting on Jobseekers while I wait for enquiries, and I have been fairly proactive in advertising myself. Don't expect to get started straight away!

Hope this helps, PM me if you need to know anything else.