[happyguy]

Ive just been looking into how i would register as a child minder, as i personally thought that there would be qualification requirements etc.. however there isnt it is simple to do and ofsted sort it all for you.

I was amazed how east it is anyone could do it, even inexperienced people, they do 2 very general courses thats it.

[Birth-Peace]

I thought it was very difficult and you had to undergo OFSTED .

[The Blonde]

I think it's hard to actually pass the assesment and your home has to be super child safe

[happyguy]

Oh yeah has to be child safe etc.. how i mean is the fact that you dont need qualifications or relevant experience just to child proof your house thats all basically

[littletykes]

oh i wish it was that easy however you are right you dont need any formal qualifications however you would need to pass a test showing you do have a basic level of education, i started re registering in august i had to go to 2 first step sessions which gave you all the info you need to consider carrying on with the process or deciding it wasnt for me, then i had to take a peadiatric first aid course , go on a day business course, go on a 4 saturdays dqp course, a one day safeguarding course,then you have to pay for a medical assesment and fill in the ofsted forms which also cost you,crb checks also need doing, after im done i will have paid out over £200 to become a childminder not to mention toys im going to have to buy and as you say child proofing the house, its december now and im still not registered but hey ho all things come to those that wait

[jenz245]

Originally Posted by littletykes

oh i wish it was that easy however you are right you dont need any formal qualifications however you would need to pass a test showing you do have a basic level of education, i started re registering in august i had to go to 2 first step sessions which gave you all the info you need to consider carrying on with the process or deciding it wasnt for me, then i had to take a peadiatric first aid course , go on a day business course, go on a 4 saturdays dqp course, a one day safeguarding course,then you have to pay for a medical assesment and fill in the ofsted forms which also cost you,crb checks also need doing, after im done i will have paid out over £200 to become a childminder not to mention toys im going to have to buy and as you say child proofing the house, its december now and im still not registered but hey ho all things come to those that wait

It usually takes about 6 months for all the paperwork. But the actual training/courses the childminder has to do is very little compared to some childcare care settings where formal qualifications are needed.
A few months compared to a few years doesn't seem all that fair to me. Don't get me wrong I think childminders are great and most do great work but I do believe there should be a proper scheduled training course say 3 days per week over 6-12 months which would then lead to a qualification.
Just my opinion of course

[natjack]

Originally Posted by jenz245

It usually takes about 6 months for all the paperwork. But the actual training/courses the childminder has to do is very little compared to some childcare care settings where formal qualifications are needed.
A few months compared to a few years doesn't seem all that fair to me. Don't get me wrong I think childminders are great and most do great work but I do believe there should be a proper scheduled training course say 3 days per week over 6-12 months which would then lead to a qualification. Just my opinion of course

That'd be something that you ought to have to do before becoming a parent, as well? A part-time course spread over 12 month, or with a bit of cramming you could do it in 9, if you got caught out

[Mick Sage]

The trouble is economic. The costs associated with being a childminder have to be ofset by the amount of pay you may get for being one. Childminders charge very little considering the responsabilities they take on. Paying for a First Aid Course £60+ is a lot when your getting £2-3 per hour per child paying for other courses is uneconomic.

[littletykes]

Originally Posted by jenz245

It usually takes about 6 months for all the paperwork. But the actual training/courses the childminder has to do is very little compared to some childcare care settings where formal qualifications are needed.
A few months compared to a few years doesn't seem all that fair to me. Don't get me wrong I think childminders are great and most do great work but I do believe there should be a proper scheduled training course say 3 days per week over 6-12 months which would then lead to a qualification.
Just my opinion of course

I understand what you are saying however all childminders will be expected to have a nvq by 2015 unless the goverment changes its mind and many already have them but will we be abe to put our fees up then to reflect the qualification i doubt it, myself i have 24 years experience in caring for children as i have children myself, we are also advised to take on training courses to keep ourselves updated with the latest practices and procedures again for no extra money .I firmly believe though that there is no better job you can do when you see the childrens smiling faces in the morning

[Mick Sage]

Originally Posted by littletykes

I understand what you are saying however all childminders will be expected to have a nvq by 2015 unless the goverment changes its mind and many already have them but will we be abe to put our fees up then to reflect the qualification i doubt it, myself i have 24 years experience in caring for children as i have children myself, we are also advised to take on training courses to keep ourselves updated with the latest practices and procedures again for no extra money .I firmly believe though that there is no better job you can do when you see the childrens smiling faces in the morning

Apart from the fact that many are dedicated to the proffession the days of subsidised course are coming to an end ( University fees for example). An NVQ costs roughly a grand. . Who is going to pay this amount to become a worker on less than you can earn stacking shelves.