Becoming a childminder
If you are thinking about Childminding you'll want to find out more, so that you can decide whether it will suit you & your lifestyle.
Childminders are self-employed and usually work in their own home. They provide flexible childcare to suit themselves and parents requirements. Knowledge of the local area means they can adapt to, for example, local companies' work times. They play a key role, offering children a stimulating environment and helping them to develop social and learning skills that stand them in good stead throughout their lives.
Regulations state that those who look after children aged under 8 years for more than two hours a day and gets paid for doing so, must be registered by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and an 'Introduction to Childcare Practice' course must be completed within 6 months of registration. Those new to childminding in Staffordshire are offered support from trained officers and can also gain support from an experienced childminder through our Childminder Mentoring Scheme.
Nowadays many childminders are looking to increase their professionalism by undertaking more qualifications and offering free places for 3 and 4 year olds. They are able to offer flexible hours to suit individual family needs, pick up older children from local schools and offer friendly, professional childcare.
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Becky started childminding when her own children were small and has continued not only with childminding but her professional development.
"Taking my 'Introduction to Childcare Practice' gave me a taste for learning and so I have continued over the years whilst childminding. I now have a degree and have started on the Early Years Professional Status Pathway," she said. "This will give me recognised status and help me to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children I mind. I also see it as giving parents confidence in my ability as it is a recognised national status."
First Steps
Our toolkit is specifically for you - download the document below to get started on your journey to providing quality childcare. Briefing sessions are then held for those who decide to continue.
|How to Become a Childminder Toolkit|+ (553Kb)
Ofsted can provide more information about fees| for becoming a registered childminder.
We can only advise & help people who live in Staffordshire, or who are re-locating to Staffordshire. For anyone outside this region who is looking at a career in childcare you must contact your Local Authority.
Have you notified the ICO?
All childcare providers, including childminders should be aware that they are required to notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if they are processing any personal information or data via computer.
By "processing", any use of a computer is included, including typing up records on a word processor, developmental observation records and the usage of CCTV in childcare settings.
To find out more information, including contact details, please visit www.ico.gov.uk||||
*Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites
+If you would like a copy of the toolkit in an alternative format or large text, please contact us|
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