CHILDMINDING AS A CAREER

Transcription

1 CHILDMINDING AS A CAREER October 2015

2 Childcare Act 2006 It is illegal To look after other people s children under the age of 8 in your own home for 2 or more hours per day for reward unless you are a close relative. Unless You are registered as a childminder. What is a Childminder? A childminder is a person who cares for children, for pay or reward, on domestic premises, that are not the home of any of the children being cared for. A childminder must be registered and inspected by an Ofsted Childcare Inspector if the children they care for are: under the age of 8 years not related to them cared for more than two hours a day in the childminder s own home 2

3 Childcare Registers You can apply to be on all or some of the following: Early Years Register: caring for children aged from birth until 31st August after their 5th birthday Childcare Register - Compulsory part: Caring for children from 1st September following their 5th Birthday until 7 years of age Childcare Register - Voluntary part: Caring for children aged from 8 to 17 years or as a Home Child Carer caring for children in their own home 3

4 The rewards of childminding Listed below are some quotes from existing childminders about the rewards of childminding. Enjoy working with children Watching children develop and grow Providing activities children enjoy Sharing children s developmental milestones with their parents Being my own boss Being a recognised childcare professional Taking children out and about Working from home Being there for my children Getting to know the parents Supporting the families The special relationship you build up with the children Knowing you have done a good job at the end of the day when the children and parents are happy Being able to work flexibly choosing the hours I want to work 4

5 The demands and challenges of childminding Think about: Routine You will need to plan and run a regular, well organised routine for the sake of the children you childmind, yourself and your own family if you have one. Your own family If you have your own family, childminding will affect and involve them too, possibly leaving you with less time for them. The children you care for, may arrive before family members leave in the morning and still be there when they return home in the evening. It is important to discuss the decision to childmind with your family before you go ahead. If you have a partner, he or she will need to be very understanding and have a realistic and positive attitude towards childminding. Most childminders find that their work affects their own children. It isn t easy for pre-school children to have to share their parent, home and maybe toys with other children. Like all working parents it can sometimes be difficult for childminders to be available for their own children s special events at school. Older children may want to ensure that their own precious possessions are safely stored away. 5

6 The cost When you start any business there will be some initial costs. You should consider costs for buying safety equipment such as stair gates. There will be the cost of registration and an annual inspection fee. You will need to have public liability insurance. You may have the cost of attending a first aid course and introductory course. You may also need to buy some toys and there will be general wear and tear on your home, car and garden etc. Information about any grants available will be discussed at the pre-registration meeting. Running a business You will need to be organised and be able to plan your work. You will be classed as self-employed and will have to keep records of your income and expenditure for the Inland Revenue (HMRC). You will need to have a clear business relationship with parents and you are strongly advised to have a written contract with each family that you provide childcare for. Your neighbours You will need to think about whether your neighbours will object if you childmind. If you think they might have concerns about families arriving and leaving, or about having additional children next door you should try to discuss this with them before you go ahead. Landlords If you rent your home either through a Property Letting Agent or have a rental agreement with a Private Landlord you should establish whether or not it will be acceptable for you to run a childminding business from your rented property. You should ask for this consent in writing, from the property owner to retain on file. This consent should be received before you embark on the process of registering as a childminder. Your pets Any pets must be kept under control. Pets must not be left alone with children in your care. 6

7 Play, Learning and Keeping safe All childminders work in line with a set of legal requirements found within the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Training in Gloucestershire provides extensive support to develop your understanding of this document. A place to play outside Children need to play outside. If you have a garden it must be safe for children. If you do not have a garden you must be prepared to take children out to local parks and playgrounds for fresh air and exercise daily. Making a commitment Parents need reliable childcare arrangements that will last. Children suffer from the disruption of moving from one childcare arrangement to another. So you should only become a childminder if you are prepared to commit yourself to providing a reliable service over a reasonable period of time. Looking after other people s children is a position of great trust. Being a Professional you will also be making a commitment to being part of a profession. This means keeping up to date by attending training and meetings with other childcare professionals. Yourself Most people who have paid jobs sometimes find it difficult to keep a balance with the demands of their personal and family life. This is especially difficult for childminders because they work in their own homes and their job and family life are so closely interwoven, particularly if they have their own children. Like any job it can be difficult to fit in personal matters such as dental appointments, studying, hobbies, entertaining visitors and going to the hairdresser around your working day and week. But you must make time for these personal aspects of your life. If you are ready to take on the challenges of the commitment and the demands of looking after other people s children then childminding is the right job for you! 7

8 Childminding it s a proper job! Childminding is a job that requires: Many Skills Commitment A Professional Approach Childminding is Responsible and demanding Enjoyable and rewarding Childminding is not Substitute parenting Unskilled work A hobby or a side line Doing a favour Childminding is a professional career 8

9 More Questions? If you would like to talk to someone about a career in childminding, please contact the Early Years Adviser for your area and they will be happy to discuss this with you. Cheltenham: Sue Williams sue.williams@gloucestershire.gov.uk Cotswolds: Fay Hayward fay.hayward@gloucestershire.gov.uk Forest of Dean: Kay Jones kay.jones@gloucestershire.gov.uk Gloucester North: Fiona McMorrow fiona.mcmorrow@gloucestershire.gov.uk Gloucester South: Cath Davenport catherine.davenport@gloucestershire.gov.uk Stroud Julie Ridley julie.ridley@gloucestershire.gov.uk Tewkesbury: Sarah Spencer or mobile sarah.spencer@gloucestershire.gov.uk 9

10 Where now? A career as a childminder or a home child carer. If you would like to consider a career as a childminder or a home child carer, your next step is to attend two free Pre-registration Information meetings. These are held at venues throughout the county and you MUST attend them both before you can apply to become a childminder. To book a place onto the Pre-Registration sessions, please complete the booking form and send to: The Early Years Team Gloucestershire County Council Room 71, Shire Hall Westgate Street GLOUCESTER GL1 2TP Tel: earlyyearsteam@gloucestershire.gov.uk You will then be sent confirmation of your booking. 10

11 What happens after that? In Gloucestershire we offer an exciting and comprehensive training package for people who have completed the Pre-registration sessions. There are 3 full day sessions and 2 evening sessions. We fund these courses so that they can be offered at no-cost to potential childminders. We are keen to work with you and support your development. Once you have completed the Pre-registration session you will be given details of the First Steps to Childminding course. 11

12 12 October 2015