What's inside the Book?
Section 2. Registration & Inspections Uncovered
In Section 2 we explain the registration and inspection process for childminders in England, Wales, Scotland, Northen and Southern Ireland. It will help you to prepare for an inspection and understand what the Inspector will be looking for.
Contents
- Registration
- Information Leaflets
- Application Forms
- References for Application
- Other Persons Notification
- Health Declaration
- Criminal Record Check (Disclosure)
- Registration Inspections
- Preparation for a Visit
- The Visit
- Suitable Person Interview
- Feed Back
- Registration Approval
- Registration Refused
- Objections
- Registration Certificate
- Inspections for Existing Childminders
- Before an Inspection
- Preparing for the Inspection
- During the Inspection
- Feed Back
- Inspection Report
- Notice of Intent
- Variations and Conditions
- Receiving a Compliance Notice
- Intent to Cancel Registration
- Cancellation of Registration
- Objection
- Registration Certificate
- Between Inspections
- Duties to Regulators
- Resignation
- Regulators and Childminder's Assistants
- Complaints
- Investigations
- Enforcement
- Non-Statutory Enforcement
- Statutory Enforcement
- Justice of the Peace, District Court and Sheriff
- Suspension of Registration
- Criminal Prosecutions
- What Constitutes an Offence
- Care Standards Tribunal (England & Wales)
- Threatening to Report You
- Been Reported ?
Quotes from the Book
Childminding Registration
All childminders must register with the appropriate regulatory body with the exception of Southern Ireland where for most childminders registration is still currently voluntary. In England the regulator is Ofsted; in Scotland it is The Care Commission; in Wales, the Care Standards Inspectorate; in Northern Ireland,The Health and Social Services Trust; in Southern Ireland, it is the Health Service Executive for both registration and voluntary registrations.
Registration of childminders is the process of checking that prospective childminders are suitable to care for children and that the premises they want to be registered at are safe and suitable.
Ofsted expect it to take approximately three months, from the date they receive your application, for them to accept or reject you for registration. Both the SCRC and the CSSIW expect the process to take six months. It may take longer if you have areas that need addressing before you can be registered.
To start the registration procedure or for more information on registration you need to contact the Children's Information Service (CIS) in England, or for Scotland, Wales and Ireland contact the registering authority.
Childminder Registration Inspections
During the [inspection] visit the inspector will be checking that your premises are suitable, safe and ready for children to begin attending and that you meet all your National Standards. They will do this by checking all rooms and any outdoor spaces are safe and hygienic, that equipment is safe and appropriate for the age and developmental needs of the children, and through discussion with you.
Inspectors will check food preparation areas for safety and hygiene requirements, including those required by environmental health departments, for example fridge temperatures. They will check animals on the premises will be housed appropriately and controlled while the children are present.
Where a vehicle is to be used for transporting children you will need to show the inspector that it is roadworthy (MOT), taxed and insured (including insurance to cover business use), and that appropriate child seats and safety restraints are used.
Inspectors are also required to confirm a prospective childminder is qualified and prepared to begin caring for children on the premises. In order to do this inspectors will discuss aspects of your proposed childminding practice, including how you will cover the following points:
- Promotion of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
- Managing children's behaviour
- Establishing good relationships will parents
- Child Protection Issues
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