How do I become registered?
-
Contact FIS for information pack
-
Book onto a Childminder briefing session
-
Book onto and complete an Introductory Childminder Course (information will be provided after the briefing session).
-
Request an Ofsted pre-registration inspection visit via Sandwell Quality Early Years and Childcare Team.
-
Complete an Ofsted online application to become a registered Childminder.
-
Prepare for an Ofsted registration inspection visit
Being a childminder is a rewarding career, you can offer flexibility of childcare to working parents and make a difference to children and families in Sandwell.
To find out more about the briefing sessions either:Call Sandwell Childcare Information Service on 0121 569 4914or visit the thinkinf about becoming a childminderpage by clicking the following link: www.sandwell.gov.uk
Childminding
Childminding as a career
What is a registered childminder?
Childminders work in their own home and provide care and learning opportunities for children of all ages in a home environment. They are self employed and set their own fees. Hours are flexible and childminders can choose to work full or part time depending on their own family commitments. As a childminder you will be required by law to register with OFSTED when you look after one or more children under the age of eight for more than a total of two hours a day on domestic premises, for reward. ‘Reward’ can be money or payment in kind. Contracts are put in place with parents and care can be offered to over 8s as long as it does not impact on younger children.
What do I do now?
Sandwell Quality Early Years and Childcare Team provide Childminder briefing sessions for prospective childminders. This is the first stage in becoming a childminder. The purpose of the session is to help develop realistic expectations about what is involved in childminding and to be able to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the registration process. If, after attending the briefing session, there is a keen interest in childminding, the next stage is to book onto and attend an Introductory Childminding Practice Course (ICP).
During the briefing session the registration process is explained in detail and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. These sessions are held regularly in Sandwell. You will then be required to undertake an ‘Introductory Childminding Practice’ course, a 12 hour Paediatric First Aid and a Food Safety Level 2 course. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks are required for Childminders and any persons living in the same household over the age of 16 years .
Qualifications
Pediatrics First Aid
Food Safety
Introduction to Childminding Practice
Certificate in Childminding Practice
Level 3
Practitioners, who start a qualification from 1 September 2014 must hold a qualification that meets the early years educator criteria to be considered full and relevant and to be counted in the level 3 ratios. The linked PDF file provides a list of those qualifications that so far have met early years educator criteria. Download the PDF file.
To count in the ratios at level 3, staff holding an early years educator qualification must also have at least functional skills at Level 2, for English and Maths and are no longer required to have GCSE grade 3 or above.