FAQ’S about childminders

unspecified0w5imz1k

Frequently asked questions…

Q. Will the childminder be qualified to care for my child and are they checked in any way?
A. All registered childminders must undertake training. They must hold a current paediatric first aid certificate training before they can be registered with OFSTED, which has too be renewed every three years. We also have to complete safe guarding training every three years too. Registered childminders are also checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)  to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

 

Q. What is a registered Childminder?
A. Registered childminder’s are professional day carer’s who work in their own homes to provide care and education for other peoples children in a family setting. Unlike nannies and au-pairs they must be registered under the 1989 Children’s Act by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) in England, or by CSIW in Wales. Registered childminder’s are inspected prior to registration being confirmed, this means checks are carried out to make sure they are suitable to look after children. Then again within the first year of minding, if the childminder gains a satisfactory grade or above the next inspection will be within a 3 year period.

 

Q. Do childminders work to an educational framework?
A. Childminders will play a key role in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework that comes into force in September 2008 in England. From September 2008 all childminders registered in England to care for children under 5 must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and will be registered and inspected against it by Ofsted.

The EYFS framework sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to the end of the Foundation Stage – this is 31 August after their 5th birthday.  I have the added advantage os using the Babysdays system which allows the parents to log into their own personal account securely and free of charge to view their child’s progress within the EYFS. Also receiving a daily update on their child’s day with photos and progress linked to the EYFS.

 

Q. What age range are the children with a childminder?
A. A childminder’s registration allows them to look after children from birth to age eight, however, they can look after older children should they want to.

 

Q. Do all Childminders take the child care vouchers?
A. Not all childminders take vouchers but most are willing to look into the voucher schemes and will discuss options with parents. I accept child care vouchers and you can claim the free government funded hours for working parents for 3 and 4 year olds too.

 

Q.What are the working hours for a childminder?
A. Childminders are self-employed and so they decide on their own working hours. Childminders can provide very flexible childcare, with many offering more flexible hours to include early mornings, evenings, weekends and overnight. You will need to negotiate hours, terms and conditions with the childminder.

Q. Are all childminders covered by accident insurance?
A. All registered childminders must have public liability insurance and business use car insurance. You should always ask to see their certificate of insurance to ensure they have the cover.


Web Design Runcorn
Website Design Runcorn