Work - Childminding

Being a registered carer of children in your own home is a job many women take once they start their own families.

For many it can be the job they do throughout their children's lives at home, and sometimes up until their own retirement. It may be that they already have childcare experience or qualifications or they go on to take more and set up their own childcaring business. For others it’s a first step into the world of running a home business in anther sphere or perhaps becoming a mumpreneur.

The requirements for being a childminder are set by Ofsted. Note that anyone who cares for children for more than two hours a day for reward, which includes any sort of payment even something as mundane as buying someone their shopping or getting them some chocolates, must be registered and inspected by Ofsted. This does not, however, cover reciprocal care, such as a babysitting circle.

You do not need any qualifications to apply to train as a childminder, but once registered you must complete the FIRST UNIT of the diploma course Home-based Childcare (Cache level 3) and also complete a 12 hour Paediatric First Aid Course and gain a certificate. If you contact your local authority they will be able to put you in touch with the right people who will be able to give you help in finding a suitable course near you.

The National Association of Childminders is excellent and provides good support for the childminder, who is often new to the business of being self employed and having to deal with account keeping and contracts. They can also put you in touch with other childminders, parents looking for childminders, and publish a good magazine specifically for Childminders called Who Minds?

 
 
 
Copyright © Funky Angel 2003 - 2008