Becoming a childminder
Would you like a career change? Does the prospect of running your own business in your own home and working with children appeal to you? If so childminding may be for you.
Becoming a registered childminder gives you the chance of an incredibly rewarding and responsible career with all the benefits of home-based working.
Childminders work in their own homes caring for other people's children, providing plenty of opportunities to develop and learn through play. They often look after children from birth and become a well-respected and important part of families' lives, managing a business-like relationship with the parents as well as often being a close friend of the family.
What does a registered childminder do?
As a registered childminder you will look after one or more children under the age of 8 for more than a total of two hours a day, usually in your own home, for payment. As a registered childminder you will have to work in conjunction with the Early Years Foundation Stage and will be inspected by Ofsted to ensure you provide a safe and stimulating environment for the children that you care for.
There are many points you must consider before applying to become a registered childminder. For example, the impact childminding will have on yourself, your partner and any other children in your home. You need to consider the change in routine, extra noise and how your children - if you have any, may react to having to share their home, toys and you.
Childminders must have an inclusive attitude and be prepared to meet the specific needs of families regarding religious persuasion, culture and disabilities.
Registration
Anyone who is regularly looking after children under eight years of age who are not the parents or close relatives of the children in their care, for reward (payment), in their own home, is required to register with Ofsted. The penalties for illegally childminding without registration are a substantial fine, imprisonment or both.
We work in partnership with the National Childminding Association (the NCMA) who operate the Hounslow Childminding Support Project. They deliver Information Briefing Sessions to anyone living in the borough who is considering a career in childminding.
Applying
If you are interested in becoming a childminder and would like to find out more, please email the Hounslow Childminding Support project team at hounslow.project@ncma.org.uk with your name, address and telephone number stating the date of the information briefing you would like to attend:
The next dates for these sessions are:
Wednesday 11 & 18 July 2012 - (10.30am – 12:30pm 1st session, 10.30am – 1.30pm 2nd session)
Wednesday 10 & 17 October - (10.30am – 12:30pm 1st session, 10.30am – 1.30pm 2nd session)
Wednesday 5 & 12 December - (10.30am – 12:30pm 1st session, 10.30am – 1.30pm 2nd session)
The venue is: Belvedere House North, Highfield Road, Feltham, TW13 4DH.
Both sessions will help you to think about the impact of childminding on your home and also explain the process for registration. Following on from the information session, you will then have the opportunity to book yourself onto the childminding introductory training course.
This is a compulsory part of registration as a childminder.
Other requirements when registering as a childminder include:
a medical form (completed by your doctor) certifying that you are physically and mentally fit to be registered as a childminder
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on yourself and anyone living in your household who is over the age of 16
a valid paediatric first aid certificate
public liability insurance
a home that is deemed suitable by Ofsted for providing care for children.