| Childminders look after children on domestic premises usually in the
childminder�s own home. They are registered with Ofsted and inspected
regularly. |
| Childminders can often be flexible about the hours that they work and they
should provide your child with lots of care, fun and learning. |
| Childminders can make the most of local parks, playgrounds, toy libraries,
drop-in groups and community centres. Often children have the chance to become
good friends with the other children being minded. |
| Every childminder is different so look for someone who will suit your family.
|
| Plus points |
| Your child will be in a home environment. |
| Childminders can support families for years as children grow up. |
| Can be flexible hours.
|
| First of all you know your child best � look for a childminder you feel will be
suitable for your child. |
| Childminders must be registered before they begin to work with children. This
means checks are carried out to make sure they are suitable to care for
children. |
| People over 16 years living in the childminder�s household are also police
checked to make sure they have not carried out any offence against a child. A
check on the childminder�s home is carried out as well to make sure it is safe
and suitable for children. |
| After a childminder is registered, regular inspections are carried out to make
sure the childminder is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service. |
| You can ask to see a childminder�s registration certificate and latest
inspection report. It is illegal for an unregistered person to look after
children for reward. |
| An unregistered person who is a close relative of the child is not officially a
childminder. |
| Childminders can care for up to six children aged under eight, of whom no more
than three must be aged under 5, at any one time. Normally, only one child may
be under one year; however, a childminder may be registered to care for 2
children under 1 where they can demonstrate that they can meet and reconcile
the varying needs of all children being cared for. Exceptions can be made for
siblings and to provide continuity of care in circumstances approved by Ofsted. |
| The childminder�s own children are taken into account and counted in these
numbers. Childminders who work with an assistant may look after larger groups
of children. |
| Children can go to a childminder from a few months old right through until they
reach secondary school. Although as previously mentioned childminders are only
registered to look after children aged under 8. |
| Childminders may also care for children between 8 and 14, as long as the number
of older children looked after does not adversely affect the care provided for
children under 8. |
| Many childminders are happy to provide families with part-time places for
children. They often drop children off at school and pick them up. Childminders
can also take your child to a playgroup or pre-school as part of the routine. |
| Childminders set their charges themselves. Charges vary in different areas.
There is no national rate |