Tracy who is in the process of becoming a registered child minder has requested this post.
During the pre-registration inspection, the inspector is assessing your suitability to become a registered child minder: This will include a look around your home, to ensure that it’s safe for children: The inspector will want to see where the children are going to take a nap if the need arises and will also want to look at your garden. if you intend to let the children play outside, This will include checking that the space is safely enclosed, doesn’t have any posionous plants and that any outbuildings, such as garages and sheds are locked if they contain any tools or substances that could harm a child.
Water in the garden is a no-no, even the potential of rain water collecting in waterproof covers on barbeques and trailers,.
When I was working as a support child minder, one of the ladies that I was supporting asked me if I would take a look at her house before her inspection.
On doing this I noticed that her washing line was very low, which could be a real problem if a child ran into it.
She also had an extension lead running across her kitchen floor in order to plug in her tumble drier:Again this could be a danger to children.
The inspector will want to see your kitchen and ask where you keep sharp knives and other potentially harmful items, including cleaning products that must be stored out of the reach of children.
It’s good practice to do a risk assessment here every day before any children arrive so doing one on the morning of your inspection makes sense too.
Show your inspector certificates for any training that you have done and having some good resources here could impress also.
You must have suitable equipment for the children in your care; so show your inspector your car seats, buggies, cots, high chairs . baby monitors,etc.
Have a good tidy up and clean of both inside and out of your house before your inspection to create a good atmosphere.
A knowledge of safe guarding and how children learn is a good thing and so is having suitable toys for early learning.
Your home must be of the correct temperature while you are caring for children.
This might all sound overwhelming but believe me it will be worth it:child minding is the best job in the world, in my opinion.
Once you have been successful in becoming a registered child minder you will also be inspected every4 years or so more on that here
I hope this has helped you, Tracy.
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As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
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Yes, I totally agree with you that when you do take in little ones your place MUST be super safe and its good to know that a new potential place will be inspected to make sure all is well.
Visited you via To Grandma’s House we go! #Alittlebitofeverything Wed. Link Up Party 254
You’re invited to hop over and come and share your posts with us at Senior Salon Pit Stop. See my entries: #17+18 and navigate to the bottom of my page for the Senior Salon Pit Stop linkup, we hope to virtually meet you there.
Glad to hear that you agree with me,Esme, thanks for your feedback
Thank you very much for linking your post to SSPS 257. Glad to meet you there and trust that we will have the honor of your presence at our weekly Linkup – Monday to Saturday. See you next week again.
I will defiantly be joining in with your linky again next week and every week, Esme, thanks for all of your comments
Not your point but very lovely garden beds!! #Dreamteam
The garden photo isn’t of my garden, mine’s not that tidy!Lydia, thanks for taking the time to read and leave your thoughts
Oh, I was very impressed! HA.
Thank you, Lydia
Is a child minder like a home daycare provider?
When my kids were little, I watched other people’s kids, but it wasn’t official.
However, when my husband and I were foster parents, we had to be inspected yearly, which was pretty intense.
#dreamteam
Yes, Heather, child cminders are home daycare providers, who are mostly registered and inspected by Ofsted early years ( some do now go through an agency I believe)
I have a water barrel in my back garden that has a tap on it and is only there so water coming off my garage isn’t puddling too much on the floor, is this going to be an issue ? After reading your water is a no no comment I’m not sure I should have it
It will only be an issue if the water is collecting to become a drowning hazzard to children, as I am not an inspector, Kirsty, that’s the best I can say in answer to your question
This is fascinating Karen I learned lots about child minders which is a whole new concept to me! Thank you so much for sharing with me and teaching me!
#DreamTeam
you are welcome. Erin, that’s my intention to share my knowledge with others
Wow Karen, that’s so well thought out. I wish you could have been my little ones childminder! You wouldn’t believe the state of some places we visited for suitability. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam xx
Ah, thanks, Annette, if something is worth doing, do it well was my moto when working as a registered child minder
It sounds a tricky job making sure your house is suitable for childminding everyday but still being functional as a home for the family. Thanks for joining in with #pocolo
It’s worth it to keep the children safe
It is reassuring and a little intimidating that they are thorough! Thanks for linking up with #DreamTeam
Absolutely, Laura