Becoming a Childminder
We will send you an information pack including a booklet on Childminding from OfSTED and we also include details of our Pre Registration Meetings, you can decide which course venue is more appropriate to you, complete the reply slip and return in the Pre paid envelope.
The Children's Information Service then book people onto the meetings and send out a confirmation letter along with a copy of the Ofsted National Standards for Childminding.
The meetings are provided in a variety of formats to ensure that there is flexibility to make attendance at the sessions as easy as possible for you. There is a mixture of three sessions, 4 sessions or 1 full days training. It is your choice as to which format you attend, however, you must attend all sessions in the chosen course before you may apply for OfSTED registration. The sessions look at the basics of childminding work through the OfSTED National Standards and explore the challenges and rewards of the role. This is to ensure that people are fully aware of what a career in childminding involves.
Once you have completed the pre-registration meeting you will be given your OfSTED application pack, OfSTED are now the registering body for all childcare.
Your application process will require the application form, a health check, a criminal records bureau check and a social services background check.
You will also be visited in your own home by an inspector from OfSTED who will go through a suitable persons interview with you and discuss how you will meet the National Standards for Childminding. This process usually takes around 3-4 months.
Once you are registered OfSTED inform the Children's Information Service of this and we contact you with a post registration information pack containing details of the start up grant, insurance, first aid and other issues relating your new profession as a childminder.
As soon as we are notified of your new registration status, the Children's Information Service will advertise your vacancies to the public who are seeking childcare.
Childcare Approval Scheme
This is a voluntary scheme for approving childcare providers who meet the criteria. It will also enable parents and employers to check if a carer is approved.The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) through the SureStart Unit announced a scheme that will provide recognised status for individuals providing childcare that is not otherwise required to register and is provided in the child's own home or, for children aged over 7, on other domestic premises.
What the Scheme Does
- It verifies that the individual has a childcare qualification or has attended an induction course.
- It verifies that the applicant has undergone appropriate first aid training.
- It carries out an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check including Protection of Children's Act (POCA) list check.
- The scheme applies only to childcare provided in England.
If people wish to pursue this they may contact the Childcare Approval Scheme on 0845 7678111or visit www.childcareapprovalscheme.co.uk for more details.