Getting Started in Home-Based Childcare

Are you planning to care for children in a homebased setting as a childminder or nanny? If so, this book will tell you all you need to know to get started.

Written in an approachable style, you will find lots of practical information and advice in this book, including:

• how working as a homebased childcarer will affect your life
• the formal procedures involved in becoming either a registered childminder or an approved homebased childcarer
• how to provide a safe environment in which to care for children
• how to plan suitable routines and play activities
• how to sort your financial and insurance arrangements and how to decide what rates you will charge
• how to establish and maintain a good working relationship with the parents of the children you care for
• how to set frameworks for children's behaviour and how to respond to challenging behaviour
• how to manage difficult situations, such as disagreements with parents and concerns about children's development
• how to develop your career and keep your expertise up to date

Illustrated in colour, the book features many examples and checklists of good practice, poses questions to get you thinking and suggests where you can go for more detailed information. It is also an excellent companion to unit 1 of the Diploma in Homebased Childcare (Introducing Childcare Practice) and clear links to the syllabus of this course are made throughout the book.