INTRODUCTION TO CHILDMINDING PRACTICE COURSE

Introduction to Childminding Practice Course

Introduction to Childminding Practice (ICP) is a nine session course of two hour sessions. The face to face sessions are delivered by members of the Childminding Support Team, so there is opportunity to ask questions in a friendly atmosphere, become familiar with the support for childminders in Bristol and to make contact with other prospective childminders. The course usually takes place in the evening.

Please note that due to the Coronavirus pandemic the next two ICP courses will be delivered by Zoom – two evening sessions a week for nine sessions.
20^th April 21 – 18^th May 2021 (this course is two evening sessions a week by Zoom)
22^nd June – 20^th July 2021 (this course is two evening sessions a week by Zoom)

In Bristol we run four ICP courses a year. Currently the course costs £95. The course provides an introduction to essential knowledge covering the EYFS, early years practice, safeguarding and business. You will not be asked to write assignments: we will just advise you on what you need to do to get ready for the Ofsted registration visit. At the final session of the ICP you receive a certificate which enables you to apply to Ofsted.

As a prospective childminder attending the Bristol City Council ICP course, you will find here some additional information and reading material to enable you to prepare for childminding registration, but please do make use of the other childminding pages on this website; particularly the ‘Policies and Documents’ page and the observation assessment and planning or ‘OAP templates’ page, in order to print out documents or use them electronically.

If you would like to attend an ICP course you should attend a free Childminder Briefing session first. For more information look at Working in Early Years and Play.

Important links for the registration process

To apply for your DBS and DBS Update Service https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-record-checks-for-childminders-and-childcare-workers If your DBS is taking months rather than weeks, contact the Disclosure and Barring Service using Tel 03000 200 190 Option 2

To apply to Ofsted after you have received your DBS https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-register-as-a-childminder

To print out a new Health Declaration https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-childcare-provider-health-declaration

Send the Health Declaration to: HDB floor 5, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Manchester M1 2WD

An overview of registration https://www.gov.uk/register-childminder-childcare-provider

The EYFS and Development Matters can be found on the Foundation Years website http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

You can ‘like’ Ofsted’s Facebook page for childcare registration https://www.facebook.com/ChildcareRegistration/

List of essential policies for childminders on the Early Years Register

Factsheet for landlords and solicitors about childminding

Paediatric First Aid (PFA) courses for childminders

Advice for childminders on photos mobile phones

Checklist of recommended documentation for a childminder

Thinking about Observations, Assessment and Planning