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Post by piglet on Mar 4, 2007 19:02:22 GMT
Hi All, I just wanted to send a quick message to introduce myself. I have recently become a member today and I am looking for some advice in starting up as a child minder. I hope to have my first child this year/next year, fingers crossed and would love to stay at home with my child. If I became a child minder I would be able to do this and earn an income. I would love to become a child minder as I think even though there will be stressful days I can imagine it being a very rewarding job also. I have recently received my "Introduction to Childcare Practice (home based)" from NEC. I have opted for the home study option as my job at present is very demanding this way I can fit it in around me. I intend to complete the whole diploma once I have set up my child-minding business. I have also booked myself onto a child minding briefing session with my local council in June. I am already making notes of safety changes I will need to make to the house in time for the inspection. I would like some answers to a few questions below: How hard is it once you are registered to get your first child enrolled. Can you recommend any other courses/workshops that may be useful? Can you recommend any other books etc that may be useful? Any other tips would be gratefully appreciated.  Zoe xx |
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Post by Pauline on Mar 5, 2007 8:06:22 GMT
I would like some answers to a few questions below: How hard is it once you are registered to get your first child enrolled. Can you recommend any other courses/workshops that may be useful? Can you recommend any other books etc that may be useful? Any other tips would be gratefully appreciated. Zoe xx Hi Zoe, (love your user name by the way  Getting your first child enrolled is often a matter of where you live and how many other minders/nurseries are in the area. Some people fill their vacancies immediately. Some, sadly, give up minding never having got anyone, although this is rare. The average seems to be a few months. I would suggest that once you are registered to start advertising immediately, you could advertise earlier saying you will soon be registered but you would have to keep people on a waiting list and couldn't start until it was official. Quite a few people are doing Food Hygiene, although it's not compulsory it shows good practice. As regards reading matter - the Birth to Three pack is essential reading, you will get one at your briefing session. If you don't want to wait till then you can order them on line (free) and then tell them you have one at the briefing. www.surestart.gov.uk/resources/childcareworkers/birthtothreematters/ordersqueries/Childminding: A Guide to Good Practice by Christine Hobart and Jill Frankel - I've heard a few people say this is a good book, although I've never read it. It's endorsed by NCMA. Having said that you will probably get all the info you need through your briefing session and the ICP so unless you are happy to spend around £15 on it, it might be worth waiting to see what you learn over the next few months. There is nothing like first hand experience/advice so asking the other minders on here for their thoughts on particular points might well be your best option - and it's free!!!  Good luck - you have such an exciting time ahead and if your briefing session is in June you could easily be minding by October. |
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Post by piglet on Mar 5, 2007 13:27:50 GMT
Hi Pauline,
Thanks very much for your reply to my answers. I will request a copy of the birth to three matters.
I am very excited about starting out and just want to get going. Another quick question as I am trying for a baby, if I fall pregnant between now and my briefing would you hold off setting up until 6 months after the baby was born?
Zoe
x
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Post by Pauline on Mar 5, 2007 15:03:44 GMT
Hi Zoe, Wasn't sure if you meant hold off registering or hold off starting minding. I wouldn't hold off registering, I would get that done as soon as you can and if you do get pregnant then you can always explain to Ofsted that you plan to mind as soon as you feel you are ready after baby is born. In the past you were not allowed to mind until your baby was 6 months old, but that has changed now and you can start as soon as you feel it is right. The best thing to do would be to have your baby, see how it is sleeping etc. and how you feel in yourself. Having a young baby is tiring enough without having mindee's to care for too. But it's all a matter of how you feel and what you want at the time, only you can know for sure. Hope that helps a little |
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Post by angeldelight on Mar 5, 2007 18:06:43 GMT
Hi Zoe, I think that Pauline has given all the advice can not think of anything to add Just one thing about the birth to three for yourself and anyone else .... ... Some people are having trouble getting these packs at the moment here is what the Bromley newsletter says ......... Birth to three matters A Bromley Childminder recently emailed Dfes to request a copy of the Birth to three matters framework pack and received the following response. ‘The Birth to Three Matters framework is being superseded and is therefore no longer available to order in hard copy. The Framework is to be replaced by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). EYFS is the new regulatory and quality framework for the provision of care and education for children between birth and the academic year in which they turn five (0-5). EYFS will build on and replace the existing statutory Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage, the non-statutory Birth to Three Matters framework and elements of the regulatory frameworks in the National Standards for Under 8s Daycares and Childminding. EYFS materials will be published in the middle of March. Birth to Three Matters framework is still available to download via the below web link: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/publications/foundation_stage/940463/ You can view/download other DFES frameworks on the following website: www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/ As soon as the new framework is launched, BCMA will be looking to update the website to reflect the new framework and put together additional information to help support childminders. Please bear with us during this time Hope this helps anyone who is having trouble getting the pack Angel xx |
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Post by banana on Mar 7, 2007 9:56:46 GMT
HI Zoe,
Im very new to childminding ( registered december 06 )and so far its been a bit slow work wise but things are picking up now as I have a full timer starting on monday and then a little boy who started with me and then lost is probably coming back in April so its getting better.
The whole process (from briefing session, dhc unit 1, ofsted visit, crb checks to registration certificate ) was from the 12th september to 23rd december, So i thought it was very quick.
Its lovely being at home with my own child and its great for her as she loves having friends to play with, its also lovely spending time with other children when i have minded, they entertain me all day (although i think its supposed to be the other way round).
The food hygeine course is a good thing to do and im doing that this month apparently ofsted are thinking of making it compulsary anyway. oh and paediatric first aid is essential, i was given the details of this on the dhc course its a 12 hour course and you get a certifiicate at the end but you wouldnt need to do this until you were registered.
Right im off to get ready, have had a pyjama morning, and why not!!
Lana x
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