Are you looking to earn some extra money? Enjoy spending time with children? Want to work when you want to? Then Childminding could be suitable for you.
Monmouthshire Children’s Information Service is always on the look out for new Childminders as we receive on average of 40 enquiries per month from parents looking for Childminders. Do you think that you would be able to cater for some parents in your area?
If you think that Childminding could be the job for you, contact Care And Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) – 01495 761200. They will provide you with all the information you require, including details of “Introduction to Childminding” courses and send you a starter pack. The NCMA (National Childminding Association) also provide information on courses available. Contact: 0800 389 7256
CSSIW will carry out checks to ensure that the candidate is suitable to care for children. People over 16 years living in the childminder’s household are also police CRB 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, an inspection is carried out once a year to check that the childminder is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service.
Childminders can care for up to six children aged under eight, of whom no more than three must be aged under five, and of those three children, normally no more than two may be under 18 months of age, although exceptions can be made for siblings or twins. The childminder’s own children are taken into account and counted in these numbers.
Childminders are only registered to look after children under 8 years old. Childminders are also able to care for children up to 14 years, as long as the level of care for under 8s remain at a high quality. Childminders set their own costs and working hours that are convenient to them.
Once you are fully registered, Monmouthshire Early Years can provide you with a Quality Start Childminder Grant. This includes:
*First Aid kit
*NCMA first year membership (including Public liability insurance)
*Safety equipment such as fire blankets, smoke alarms, safety guards and so on up to the value of £100