Playgroup

[bugsyj]

I would like to start a playgroup at home and am not sure how I go about this or even if it is possible. Any ideas please?

[bug123]

I would imagine that you need to have the necessary qualifications and experience as a starting point. My friends mother is a childminder and looks after a couple of children during the day at her home - maybe you should start small?

[Hermia]

You might also need to have police checks. I'm a first aider where I work and because there is a chance I might have to perform first aid on a child I have had to be police checked. A first aid qualifiaction and insurance might also be needed. Perhaps you should ring the council to see whether you will need to be inspected. Where I live the council are quite strict about this sort of thing.

[ayla44]

If you want to provide childcare in your own home, and the children are under eight and you are not a relative of the children then you need to register with Ofsted. This will allow you to care for up to 6 under eights (may be less if you have under eights of your own or your house is small). You will have to do First Aid & Introduction to Childminding course and all adults in the property will undergo CRB & medical checks. Ofsted will visit you to check the property is safe and you will have to meet the National Standards of Childcare

Not all Registered Childminders work alone, some employ assistant(s), if you have sufficient space in your property this may increase the numbers of children you are permitted to care for, which will be more like a nursery/playgroup environment.

for more advice, try contacting Ofsted , NCMA and your local CIS (Childrens information Service - find yours at childcarelink.gov.uk)