Can I ask some questions??

[RachelG]

Hi,

I was wondering if I could ask some questions regarding childminding.

I have just given up my full time job to look after my 2 young children. I was finding that I was paying out more for my children to go to a childminders than I was actually earning....as well as having to pay for my daughters Nursery fee's as she doesn't receive her grant until Easter.

Anyway, I have thought about childminding. I know my old childminder fills her spaces quickly and is always turning people away, so I know there is a demand for it in my area.

I live in Surrey and have been on their Childminder Induction Briefing that they hold and I have the neccessary forms for Ofsted. Most are completed, just need to get my GP to complete the Health form.

My questions are this:

Do you need a name for your Business? If so, how do you register this?

I was also wondering about fee's. My childminder charged by the hour. We used to get 20% discount for my daughter when she was full time and 20% discount for my son as he was a sibling. She also charged if my kids were sick/holiday etc. She also brought in just recently that she takes 20 days paid holiday a year. Does this seem fair?? Her rate was £5.25ph which is around average here from what I can gather. (this also included their lunch and dinner).

I don't have a very big house, so I know this (and my 2 children aged 4 and nearly 3) will affect the number of children I can have. I also worry about not having enough space for children to play...altho my 2 at the moment cope pretty well. We have a conservatory, but its used as a dining room as the lounge/diner isn't big enough.

Are my children expected to share all their own toys? or will I be required to buy new toys for the children I look after?

Sorry for all the questions.....I'm just trying to weigh everything up.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Guest]

Hi,

I was wondering if I could ask some questions regarding childminding.

I have just given up my full time job to look after my 2 young children. I was finding that I was paying out more for my children to go to a childminders than I was actually earning....as well as having to pay for my daughters Nursery fee's as she doesn't receive her grant until Easter.

Anyway, I have thought about childminding. I know my old childminder fills her spaces quickly and is always turning people away, so I know there is a demand for it in my area.

I live in Surrey and have been on their Childminder Induction Briefing that they hold and I have the neccessary forms for Ofsted. Most are completed, just need to get my GP to complete the Health form.

My questions are this:

Do you need a name for your Business? If so, how do you register this?

No you will be known as your name and an ofsted number (they will give you this when you start registering) Some people like to name their business and use it on paperwork at home (newsletters, invoices etc) but not offical paperwork.

I was also wondering about fee's. My childminder charged by the hour. We used to get 20% discount for my daughter when she was full time and 20% discount for my son as he was a sibling. She also charged if my kids were sick/holiday etc. She also brought in just recently that she takes 20 days paid holiday a year. Does this seem fair?? Her rate was £5.25ph which is around average here from what I can gather. (this also included their lunch and dinner).
look to see the going rate on your local chaildcare site and go by that, some only drop £1 off odler child fee's when both in care same time etc. - many dont charage for their holidays but if the child is sick/holiay then they still charge

I don't have a very big house, so I know this (and my 2 children aged 4 and nearly 3) will affect the number of children I can have. I also worry about not having enough space for children to play...altho my 2 at the moment cope pretty well. We have a conservatory, but its used as a dining room as the lounge/diner isn't big enough.
i use my living room and kitchen and my sons room for sleeping/quiet area, also garden im allowed to mind 5 under 8 (as i have 1 child under 8 at mo) - ofsted will advice you when they do pre reg visit hun

Are my children expected to share all their own toys? or will I be required to buy new toys for the children I look after?
No but thats up to you, i went to charity shops and brought a range of toys - cars, music, blocks, puzzles, dolls, multicultral items, sensory items etc - most are kept in boxes in hall/living room etc

Sorry for all the questions.....I'm just trying to weigh everything up.

Thanks,
Rachel

hope this has helped hun x

[Jellybean]

Also you need to take into account all the unpaid hours like when you are doing all your planning obs and accounts. Your home will be turned into a nursery too and i found it quite difficult when i first started having strangers in my house

[RachelG]

Thank You for your replies!

Its been a hectic few weeks!!

I decided to go for Childminding and an currently attending my local councils Childminding Introduction Program!

I am yet to have an Ofsted inspection, but am nervous at the thought of it! lol. I have re-arranged my kitchen so there is no cleaning products at low level.

I also saw on here about a "Guestbook" ... is this essential?? And I assume you get everyone who visits the house to sign in and out including parents signing in and out children??

Sorry, here I go asking a million and one questions again lol.

Rachx

[Jellybean]

Hi RachaelG,
Good for you, you have made a big decision, You will get a pre registration visit from Ofsted once you have filled in all your forms then another inspection visit 3 months after you start childminding.
It is advisable to have a guestbook or visitors book to show ofsted all visitors that come into your home but only when you are childminding.

[kaz_za]

hi
not sure about where you live... but some area's have childminder buddies... when you go to your icp next ask if anyone knows if you have a buddy scheme .... they can be very helpful for you... and give you some good hint and tips... dont 4get to check out this site.. it has some brill advice on here. ... regards to policys and procedures...
kaz_za

[RachelG]

Thank you again for your responses.

I am currently trying to complete some of my coursework writing policies....Gosh! We were told that we had to write them from scratch ourselves and to not use the internet...but they're kinda vague about what needs to be included.

I'm in Surrey, and will def be asking about Buddies when I go to my session on Monday x

[kaz_za]

try here found it on this site.. just have a look threw and then write your own policys... it will help you with idea's... just remember do a bit at a time...
kaz_za
http://www.childmindingnorthants.org.uk/168