In Wales - CSSIW
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Welsh/Cymraeg
In Wales, childminders hoping to care for children under
8 must register with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate
Wales (CSSIW) before they can start childminding.
You can read more about becoming a childminder in Wales in
NCMA's booklet, Become a
Registered Childminder in Wales but, below you'll find
some general information on the registration process.
To become registered, first of all you'll need to attend a
pre-registration (briefing) session where you will find out more
about becoming a childminder. You should contact
your local CSSIW office (external link) to find out when
the next session is being held in your area.
You'll receive lots of information at the session about how to
become a childminder and you will be signposted to the CSSIW
website where you will need to access important information on the
National Minimum Standards for Childminding and the Childminding
and Day Care regulations. Once your training is complete you will
have to explain to a CSSIW Inspector how you intend to meet the
requirements before you start childminding.
The
application packs for childminding (external
link) are now only available on the CSSIW website.
To become registered you'll also need to complete a Diploma in
Home Based Childcare Unit 1 course. This must be completed before
you are registered along with a first-aid course (within six months
of registration).
You will need to attend an NCMA mentoring session after the
course for advice on writing your policies and procedures. This
will help you complete part two of the CSSIW application form.
When you submit your completed application form, you will need
to make arrangements for your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
disclosure (including any people on the proposed childminding
premises aged 16 or over), which is a check to make sure there's
nothing in your history or the history of family members to
prohibit you working with children. CSSIW will also carry out
further checks for example, a medical check and seeking
references.
Finally, a CSSIW inspector will arrange to visit you and carry
out a registration inspection where you will need to show how you
meet the
national minimum standards for childminding in
Wales (external link) and the Childminding and Day Care
regulations.
If you're successful you will receive a registration certificate
and be able to start work as a registered childminder. At this
stage you may also be eligible to apply for a start-up grant
designed to help you with any costs you incur as you start your
business. You'll find out more about this during the registration
process.
And, of course, you can also apply for NCMA membership and take
out NCMA public liability insurance, underwritten by Royal and
Sun Alliance Insurance plc, to cover you as you
childmind.