ICP advice - lots of questions!

[jw19nr]

Hello. I got my application form for the ICP course which starts in Jan. I have only just decided to do childminding. I am pregnant, and plan to start childminding by the end of my Maternity leave.

I have lots of work to do on my house before anybody come here to inspect!

Is it too soon to do the ICP course?
I don't know much about it. Is it just to give you an idea of childminding? Or do you have to do anything first? Does it have anything to do with the inspection? What hapens if you fail the course? Do you need to have your inspection after the course?

I am no where near ready for inspection, so didnt want to have it anytime soon. I have only recently moved and still have boxes etc everywhere! But at the same time, want to get things moving and find out more information

Anyway, any advice/info?

Would be great to know more! Thank you!

[sutherland]

I think the best place to start is by calling ur local early years department. They can then book u on to a pre-reg course, where you will be given all the info you need inc the app forms to ofsted (of which u only send off once u r ready for ur pre-inspection)

In the area I am in you are not able to attend an ICP course until u have been to the pre-reg meetings. Unsure if this is the same in all areas. But I know there was one lady on my pre reg course last month who is not planning to get registered until Autumn next year so she was just given all the info and forms and told to send them off once ready.

Michelle

[deeb66]

Hi

As Sutherland has said you really do need to attend a pre-registration meeting first and at this meeting you will be given all the relevant documentation/forms and information.

Once you have been to the meeting you can then book onto your ICP course whenever you want - I would certainly recommend doing it as soon as you possibly can because as well as helping you with the paperwork side of things it will help you to understand the 14 Standards and know what Ofsted will expect of you which will make you registration inspection with Ofsted much easier.

I hope this helps but if you need any other infor then by all means ask again

Dee

[jw19nr]

Now things are starting to make sence! That is what I had wanted to go on in the first place - maybe they sent me the wrong details? I have sent the form off now

Oh dear!

[sutherland]

Have you contacted ur local early years team yet, maybe u can get on a pre reg b4 Jan?

[jw19nr]

I am wondering if I am on both. There was 2 courses on the form and I asked to go to both. One was a 1 off, which was about 2 hours in the evening, at the start of Jan, but it was provided by ofsted - I really wished I'd looked more carefully, I just assumed they would send me the right one! They sent it wil some really basic info about thinking about starting up childminding!

The second was the ICP course, which started about half way through jan.

I am so confused now! The forms were sent by my local childrens service thingy

[banana]

Let us know what course you end up on and what else we can do to help.

Good luck on the road to starting childminding

xxx

[buildingblocks]

i would say the 2 hour one is the general briefing session to tell you a bit about what it all entails and what you will have to do. you have to complete the ICP and hte First Aid within 6 months of being registered as a childminder (correct me if I am wrong on this someone)

love Kate

[deeb66]

Yes - the one off session for around 2 hours is given by your local Early Years Team (C.I.S.) and this is given on behalf of Ofsted and will give you all the necessary forms and assistance on how to complete the forms etc.

Usually your Early Years Team will tell you which colleges do the ICP and telephone numbers and is up to you to get it booked - well that is how it is done in my area.

Kate is right you have got 6 months to get the ICP done but it would really help you with your initial inspection if you could get it done beforehand but obviously isn't essential.

Hope this helps

Dee

[jw19nr]

Hello, double checked and it is the breifing session first, which is at the start of jan. Then about 2 weeks later, the ICp course starts. I have applied to both but will see what I get. This will be fun with a newborn baby!

[deeb66]

Glad you got it sorted

Yes it will be interesting with a new born!!

Good luck

Dee