Love working with children?
Want a flexible and rewarding career that fits around your life?
Becoming a registered childminder could be the perfect step.
With the right support, training and guidance, you can create a home-based business that supports local families and fits around your schedule, all while providing an income.
This article will take you through what you need to know and the fully funded courses available to support you.
💡 Start with the Essentials
Becoming a childminder involves creating a safe and nurturing environment that supports children to learn, grow and develop.
To get started, you will need to know the practical and legal responsibilities of running a home-based childcare business.
🔗 Course: Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare
🚨 Be Ready for Emergencies
Keeping children safe is the most important part of your role. Get confident in responding to cuts, scrapes, and more serious injuries.
As well as being a requirement, first aid training provides you with peace of mind and reassures the families you work with.
🔗 Course: Paediatric First Aid
🍽️ Keep Mealtimes Safe
Many childminders provide snacks and meals as part of their offer, so food hygiene needs to be considered. Parents and carers want to know their children are eating well and that safety and cleanliness is covered.
🔗 Course: Food Safety and Hygiene
🧠 Go Beyond the Basics
The more you understand about the children you care for, the more confident and effective you’ll be. Our short, CPD courses support you to develop knowledge in specific areas, giving you the tools to deliver high quality, inclusive care.
Courses include: Nutrition and Health, Understanding Autism, Diabetes Care and Management, Neuroscience in Early Years and many more.
💰 Get Help with Start-Up Costs
Starting your own childcare business involves more than just learning. You may need to invest in resources and equipment, as well as having to cover start-up costs.
If you’re eligible, the Poppins Bursary can offer up to £1000 to minimise any financial barriers, so you can focus on building your business!
🔗 Enquire about Financial Support
💻 Promote Your Business
Once your business is ready, it’s time to start advertising. Many parents and carers look online when searching for childcare, so having a strong online presence can help more people to find you. Stand out from the crowd by learning how to effectively promote your business online.
🔗 Course: Digital and Social Media Marketing for Businesses
We are here to help!
Whatever your reason for starting, we are here to support you to build a successful business, you can be proud of.
If you have any questions about the topics mentioned in this article, please reach out to our team who will be happy to support you.
☎️ 03330 139 502
📧 Poppins.Bursary@essex.gov.uk
💻 aclessex.com/poppins
