Advice and Support Please! :)

[hayleydean]

hello everyone! i have just joined this website and i am seriously considering becoming a registered child minder, i have recently moved in with my boyfriend and in a 4 bedroomed house which i think would be perfect to look after children, i have just started the process of getting in touch with children's info service etc to get the ball rolling. I am only 18 but i don't see that as a bad thing? i love kids and am very excited about this prospect, please can you let me know what being a child minder is like for you and tips and advice thanks guys! i will keep you posted on how everything goes!

[angeldelight]

Hello

Welcome to the forum you will find everyone really friendly here.
It is nice to meet you.

You are young but I do not see age making any difference to what you want to do you might need a little experience though have you done any work with children at all?

Childminding can be hard work and you get a lot of paper work now days.
I think some people think it is basically "just" looking after other peoples children in your home but far from it.

What made you want to do childminding I don't blame you it is great and you meet some lovely people and you have the advantage of course of being your own boss

It can take a while to get started

If you click on the link and read some of the advice here I am sure it will help you a great deal

Then you can come back and ask questions that you do not understand maybe

childmindinghelp.co.uk/becomingaregiste.html

Let us know what you decide to do and good luck

Angel xx

[Pauline]

Hi and welcome

I agree with Angel I don't think your age should go against you, in fact you probably have loads of energy which is a big advantage as childminding can be tiring!

Once you have started the ball rolling you will be invited to the briefing sessions which are fantastic and have loads of information, and if you decide to go ahead you will get an initial visit from Ofsted to check your premises and point out any problems.

As you don't have children in the house then you will have to take a good look around and think safety, both inside and out. Cupboard locks, window locks, poisonous plants, glass etc.

Are you working at the moment? If not perhaps you could enrol on some short courses like play and activity ideas, or ask if you can volunteer at a local playgroup, to build up some experience to show parents and Ofsted.

Being a childminder is fantastic but like Angel says be prepared for all the paperwork and some seriously hard work!

Good luck and keep us posted or ask any questions.