Getting Started in Home-based Childcare
Getting Started in Home-based Childcare By Sue Griffin (Heinemann, £12.99, available from Nursery World Bookshop, tel. 0870 444 8633, www.nurseryworld.co.uk) Reviewed by Sandy Weller, chair of Wandsworth Childminders' Association As a registered childminder for 40 years, a founder member of our local childminding association in Wandsworth and a course tutor, I have read a vast number of books on the subject of childcare, especially their use for childminders.
As a registered childminder for 40 years, a founder member of our local childminding association in Wandsworth and a course tutor, I have read a vast number of books on the subject of childcare, especially their use for childminders.
Sue Griffin's book proved to be a refreshing change, however.
She has covered every aspect of working as a childminder, from the formalities of registration and working within the law, to the patience, understanding and kindness needed to be a good carer.
She has managed to explain the rules and regulations in concise, clear ways that are easy to understand and, more importantly, easy to implement, and has written in depth about ways of working with children and parents. I especially like the way she talks about the way it is likely to affect your life and family, really making you think about what you are taking on.
Many books on childcare are often full of jargon and terminology that you only begin to understand when you have been working with children for some time. This one, however, starts from the premise that you know nothing and gradually builds a picture of all the skills needed in a good childminder.
The author makes the process from the original registration to becoming a successful minder seem very achievable.
It is a good reference book both for those thinking about becoming a childminder and those who have been minding for a long time.
