Becoming a Childminder ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE!!

beansoup

Hi

Sorry - only just back online.

We moved into an area that is only just becoming a commuter area (into London where we both work). We were not expecting to need childcare so not factored in to our move plan! Our little one was/is a complete surprise.

Most minders in our area only take in after 8.00am so finding someone prepared to do 7.00am was a bonus. Fairly sure she upped hourly rate and made up that 1 hour rate because of perception that we are loaded (not true!!!) but this rate still works out better than 300.00 per week charged at my workplace nursery!

cazad

beansoup wrote: »

Hi

Sorry - only just back online.

We moved into an area that is only just becoming a commuter area (into London where we both work). We were not expecting to need childcare so not factored in to our move plan! Our little one was/is a complete surprise.

Most minders in our area only take in after 8.00am so finding someone prepared to do 7.00am was a bonus. Fairly sure she upped hourly rate and made up that 1 hour rate because of perception that we are loaded (not true!!!) but this rate still works out better than 300.00 per week charged at my workplace nursery!

The main thing is that he is happy with a childminder and you are happy with the service you are getting

superflygal

Hi folks,

Got the pre seminar pack today, with all the rules and regulations.

Where do you folks let the kids have a nap? The rules say you need an area for naps. I've got a lounge (not massive about 3.5m x 5m and a kitchen/diner. I've got a box room (unheated, but could install electric radiator easily) that would take a single bed and a cot. Do you use inflatable ready beds?

Thinking about getting a conservatory built, knocking down garage (asbestos-nasty) and fitting carport. This would add value to our house too.

DH and I had some terrible news yesterday, one of our best friends was killed in a plane crash. Its knocked the stuffing out of us. He was only 30. A wonderful man. We'll really miss him.

Have a good day all,

Love
Superflygal x

cazad

Hi Superflygal
so sorry to hear your sad news(i heard on the local news about a plane crash 2 people killed) was that it.

As for your sleeping arrangements a box room will be fine. If it upstairs make sure to get the upstairs registered to childmind. i only have my ground floor registered.
We had our garage converted into a play room which is nice as we dont need all of the toys and equipment in the living room all the time . Take care
caz

webbie

Hi!
Sorry to hear your sad news.

I have two fold up travel cots which are put away after naps. If you use the upstairs, you need to have a full fire escape plan including this - eg, if one was downstairs, one asleep upstairs, which do you collect first?! Scary - but worrying too!!

superflygal

Hi folks,

Thanks for your wishes. Yes, Chris was involved in the crash mentioned on the news. The funeral will be the worst. Its impossible to think we'll never see him again. He was such a sweet guy.

Anyway

Thats a good thing u could convert the garage Caz. Think we may get conservatory built. It would add value to our house AND be a good business move. Reckon we can do everything we need to do for £10k. Just need to find £10k......

Good temporary solution to utilise boxroom too. Our only loo is upstairs, would i have to get upstairs approved for that anyway?

Right off to Sainsburys now. It's like old mother hubbards house here. Not evena bone in the cupboard.

Superflygal x

cazad

Hi again superflygal
were you planning on getting a conservatory before you decided to childmind.The only reason i ask is if i were you i would wait and make do with what you have for a little while,just incase you realise you do not like being a childminder once you start.
Someone i know moved into a bigger house for childminding and then decided she couldnt keep up with the hours and had to give it all up.

You would need to have upstairs registered if your toilet is up there as the children will be going up and down.
I am sure your box room would be fine its amazing what you can get into small spaces when you need to( we had a loft conversion so have very little storage space in the roof anymore and you dont realise how much you miss it until its gone. I am an expert now at fitting things into tiny spaces.

By the way after waiting a couple of months i had someone come to see me today for a full time place so fingers crossed they will get back to me she was a lovely little 5month old little girl.

caz

consnmattsmom

Hello all

I have booked my place onto the briefing session and would love to become a childminder.

The only thing that worries me is that in my area there are 2 childminders with vacancies and cover the school that I would be able to collect and drop off from as that is where my children go. This makes me think that there is no call for child minders around here.

Should I carry on and pursue what I want to do?

cazad

Hi consnmattsmon
Have you spoke to the childminders yourself or got the information from CIS
If its from the CIS website it may not be up to date.

Also are you looking into having children in the daytime too or just before and after school.
It may just be that they cannot find the children to fit into the spaces they have and times they want to work.
I would carry on and see how you go at the meetings.
The school i pick up from has about 6 childminders but we still get calls coming through to us for childcare.
Hope this helps
caz

consnmattsmom

Hi Cazad

Thanks for that. It was the website I looked at.

I could have them before and after school and daytime too. Also willing to work Saturdays.

The meeting is on 6th Feb but as I am so keen seems ages away and I am trying to do as much research as possible.

Also looked at the standards of OFSTED and they look scary. Need to sit and have a good read.

Thanks for help. Any tips etc would be greatly appreciated.