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Working with childrenBecoming a childminderFamily Information Service - October 2010fis@kirklees.gov.uk
A childminder is someone (other than a parent, relative, person with parental responsibility, or foster parent) looking after one or more children under 8 years of age, in their own home for over two hours a day, for reward. It is an offence to look after children for reward without being registered. Childminders provide care for babies, toddlers and school age children in the childminders own home. Childminding is a professional career providing consistent high standards of care in partnership with parents. Childminders work from home and can choose the hours that they wish to offer and the ages of the children that they care for. They may wish to work with young children under five years or may prefer to care for older children before and after school and in the school holidays. Childminders are able to provide a variety of flexible hours, offering anything from all day care, early mornings/late evenings, overnight or weekend care, and often care for children of shift workers or those who work unsociable hours. Childminders are self-employed people who run their own business and set their own scale of charges. They charge per child, with full time rates averaging around £3.00 an hour. Childminders use contracts, which are agreed between themselves and the parents. Some childminders have registered assistants, or work jointly with another childminder. What does the law require? The Children Act 1989 states those persons wishing to provide day care for children under 8 must be registered by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education). Ofsted registers and inspects all childminders. Why is registration necessary? The Children Act 1989 exists to ensure quality standards are met by providers of early years services. The main purpose is:
Ofsted's requirements for early years provision, specify standards of good practice in relation to ratios, premises, equipment, toys, relationships with parents and records. Ratios:-
There will be an small initial fee for registration followed by a small annual inspection fee. The initial fee will be payable when you have received your first registration visit. This does not guarantee registration and is not refundable. Applicants who are refused registration have the right to be informed in writing and have the right of appeal. Do I need a qualification? You are not required to hold any formal qualifications in order to carry out childminding, but you will need to have had recent experience in the care and guidance of young children. You will be required to attend a Childminding Pre Registration Briefing and a pre-registration course Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP). What do I do next? When you have discussed it with all members of your household and you wish to find out more, please contact the Family Information Service who will then invite you to attend a Childminding Pre Registration Briefing where you will find out whether childminding is the career for you. Training You will be required to undertake the ICP (Introduction to Childminding Practice) course as part of the process of being registered as a childminder. On completion of the ICP you will also have the opportunity attend the DCP (Developing Childminding Practice) course. The DCP is a nationally recognised qualification for Childminders. How can Kirklees Early Years Service help? Kirklees Early Years Service has Childcare Development Co-ordinators who deliver the Childminding Pre Registration Briefings and who can offer guidance during the registration process. In addition all prospective childminders will (if they wish) be allocated a Support Childminder. Support Childminders are established and experienced childminder who have undergone special training and who will offer support to new recruits during their registration and up to 12 months afterwards. What Financial Support is available? Anyone who is applying to register as a childminder can apply for a grant to help them with costs including; the OFSTED registration fee, doctors references, First Aid training and cost of the ICP course, the first years insurance premium including a years membership of the National and Kirklees Childminding Associations, membership of the Kirklees PLA toy library which includes access to the bulk buy shop. In some areas of Kirklees additional grants are available to help to buy safety equipment and toys. Who can I contact for more information?Once registered, the Childcare Development Coordinators will be available to offer you advice and guidance. In some areas there are childminding support groups, which meet regularly. Who can I contact for more information? Family Information Service: National Childminding Association (NCMA) Yorkshire and Humberside Office Ground Floor, Unit 1 Antler Complex Bruntcliffe Way Morley Leeds LS27 0JG Tel: 0113 218 9292 The Kirklees Childminding Association (KCMA) provides support and advice to registered childminders. |