Becoming a Childminder

Imagine a job that makes a real, positive difference to a child’s life, building their confidence, helping them develop into well adjusted, sociable children and young people, then add in the flexibility to do this job in your own home, fitting it in with your other commitments. So you get:

• job satisfaction
• an income
• the opportunity to be your own boss.

Sounds too good to be true? Well it’s not! You can have all that if you become a registered childminder, like over 300 other people across Nottingham from all walks of life. There are men and women from many different backgrounds working as registered childminders, with or without children of their own. What unites them is their energy, enthusiasm and commitment to a rewarding career. Children need people like you – responsible adults who:

• really enjoy being involved with children and
• their parents
• want to play a key role as children grow up
• offer children a safe, stimulating environment.

Next Steps:

1) Download the booklet  Thinking about Childminding - your questions answered to discover more about being a childminder. You can also find out more about being a childminder by visiting the National Childminding Association here .

2) if your still interested in becoming a childminder then you need to attend a Childminding briefing session. Call the Children & Families Information Service, on freephone 0800 458 4114 to book a place at the next session. The sessions will give you loads more information and your under no obligation to take you application further

3) We’ll then  guide you through the registration process and support you every step of the way. We may even be able to offer you a start up grant.

4) Once your registered we want your business to be a success and can offer you:

• Advice and support thorough the Ofsted inspection process
• Business Support advice
• Access to free training opportunities.
• Network events enabling you to meet other Childminders and exchange ideas and best practice.
• Free marketing and publicity through the Children and Families Information Service which reaches over 5,000 families a year.

Want to know more  about Childminding ? Call us on freephone 0800 458 4114.

Operating a Day Nursery, Crèche, Pre-School or Out of School Club

Do you want to provide quality childcare for groups of children ? Do you want to work with schools or local businesses to support the needs of the local community ? There are currently over 150 providers in Nottingham offering a variety of group care for children, helping families manage their work life balance.

Day Nursery – providing full daycare and most also offer a mixture of out of school and holiday care. Typically caring for children from age 0 to 11 years. Average size of a day nursery is 60 places though can be a large as 120 places. Many offer nursery education for 3 & 4 yr olds.

Crèche – providing sessional care, typically for up to 2 hours, for groups of children aged 0 – 8yrs. Crèches are normally linked to another activity such as training, shopping or a leisure facility.

Pre School – pre-schools provide sessional care for, typically, 3 hours a day for 2 to 5 yr olds. Some may also offer nursery education.

Out of School care – providing a mixture of sessional care for 5 to 11 yr olds, before school, after school and during holidays. Care is offered by a variety of providers such as schools, community groups, sports clubs, etc.

All early years and childcare provision, operating for 2 hours or more, has to be registered by Ofsted. The Early Years and Childcare Unit can help you with:

• Information about the local childcare market.
• Business support including business planning.
• Support through the Ofsted registration and inspection process.
• Training & continuous professional development.

Interested and want to know more about group childcare for children ? Call us on freephone 0800 458 4114

Resources and links for people and organisations looking to set up a childcare business

Resources

Download a copy here of the 2006/2007 Childcare Sector Survey listing average prices, salaries, number of places and much more.

Download information on starting a new Childcare Business

Download information on starting a new Childminding Business

www.ofsted.org.uk – childcare registration and inspection information
www.surestart.gov.uk – central government site with resources for all type of providers.
www.ndna.org.uk –  resources for day nursery providers
www.4children.org.uk – resources for Out of School providers
www.pre-school.org.uk – resources for pre school providers.