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Providing a Childcare and/or Play Service

Running your own Childcare Setting may be a life-long ambition, a new interest, or the next step in your childcare career.

Even if you have worked in childcare before it can be a daunting and long process. There are many things to consider, so you need to make sure you are fully prepared for what it will involve.

What does setting up a Registered Childcare Setting entail?

  • Regulated childcare encompasses a wide range of different types of provision which can be found on our Childcare in Ceredigion page
  • The setting will be registered with, regulated and inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales 
  • Registered settings are subject to a set of National Minimum Standards for regulated childcare  which will need to be achieved or exceeded
  • Structure must be in place for the type of provision to ensure compliance with the NMS
  • Employing appropriately qualified staff to ensure that all ratios and standards are met is essential. This includes ensuring that employment law is adhered to in all areas, including working conditions, pay and contributions
  • Ensuring that children and young people benefit from high quality care that helps them to develop holistically

How to start up a registered Childcare Setting

  • For free support and advice from the start, contact the Childcare Unit by calling Clic on 01545 570881 or by emailing clic@ceredigion.gov.uk. Our role is to support you, subsidise training costs and offer grants to registered childcare providers
  • Market Research - You will need to carry out market research to determine if there is a demand for the type of provision you intend to offer. Every local authority in Wales is required to carry out a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) every five years where childcare supply and demand is analysed and gaps in provision identified. The CSA can be a useful tool when researching childcare needs within a specific area
    Consider:
    • Area
    • Age of children
    • Operational hours
    • Language(s) of provision
    • Availability, type, and cost of premises
    • Fees to be charged
    • Competition
  • Finance - Business and financial planning are key to ensuring the sustainability of any business. It is important to consider all outgoing costs, such as rent/mortgage, wages, insurance and utilities as well as the cost of equipment. Use market research to calculate fees and charges
  • Business Support - Business Wales have a dedicated webpage for Childcare and Playwork providers  to access the support they need to establish, develop and grow their business sustainably. Business Wales can also help you with all the information, advice, and guidance you need if you are considering starting a business from home  or are growing your business. Please visit the Business Wales website  and search ‘Childcare’
  • Registration - Information on how to Register a Childcare Setting with Care Inspectorate Wales can be found on their Register a Childcare and Play Service page 
  • Staffing - Things to consider in relation to staffing a setting include:

If you believe that all children deserve the best start in life, are adaptable, flexible, and would like to run your own business from your own home, why not consider Childminding as a career?

As a Registered Childminder you will:

  • Be a trained childcare professional;
  • Offer the children you care for a happy, stimulating environment;
  • Provide learning opportunities and see the children develop;
  • Work in your home, choose the hours you work, and run your own business;
  • Be able to care for your own children alongside minded children (they will count in your numbers);
  • Be able to meet other Childminders, locally in networks, or online;
  • Receive regular newsletters from the Childcare Unit about training opportunities, grants and any changes in legislation

What does being a Registered Childminder entail?

  • If you look after one or more children under the age of 12, for more than two hours a day, in your own home, for payment (either in goods or money) you must, by law, register as a Childminder;
  • We Care Wales  campaign by Social Care Wales explains what a job in the care sector entails, including Home-based Childcare, and videos about being a Childminder;
  • You will need to register with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), who are the independent regulator of social care and childcare in Wales;
  • To do this, you will need to meet or exceed the National Minimum Standards (NMS) ;
  • Once registered, you will be inspected at least every 3 years, and be required to undertake regular training to keep your skills and knowledge up to date;
  • As a self-employed person, you will need to run your business in a legal manner and pay tax on your earnings by completing the self-assessment tax return 

How to become a Registered Childminder in Ceredigion?

  • Contact the Childcare Unit by calling Clic on 01545 570881 or by emailing clic@ceredigion.gov.uk. Our role is to support you, subsidise training costs and offer grants to registered childcare providers;
  • Attend an online Childminder briefing session, where the Childcare and Training Coordinator will explain all of the training necessary and the process of becoming a Registered Childminder;
  • Attend a suitable pre-registration course; this is delivered over an 8-16 week period. This will enable you to develop your own policies and procedures to comply with regulations;
  • On completion of the pre-registration course you will be mentored by our officer to ensure that you have completed everything necessary to register as a childcare provider with CIW;
  • Attend and complete all mandatory courses including Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding Child Protection, Food Safety and Hygiene, Food Allergy and Intolerance and PREVENT (Radicalisation Awareness);
  • You will need to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) for yourself and anyone over the age of 16 who is a member of the household;
  • Submit your application to CIW, who will contact you to arrange a premises visit and an interview;
  • Once registered you will continue to have the support of the Childcare Unit for the duration of your registration

Related Links:

The Welsh Government established the ‘Childcare at Home Voluntary Approval Scheme’, sometimes referred to as the “Nanny Scheme” as a voluntary scheme, administered by CIW. Amongst other things, inclusion within the scheme enables parents using an approved nanny, to receive financial assistance through a range of UK Government tax and benefits concessions such as Tax Credits, Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare, where they are eligible.

What does being a Nanny or someone registered on the Voluntary Approval Scheme entail?

Anyone applying for the scheme must be over 18 years of age. You must not be barred or be considered unsuitable to work with children.

How to become Registered under the Voluntary Approval Scheme

Business Support

Business Wales have a dedicated webpage for Childcare and Playwork (Link to an external website) providers to access the support they need to establish, develop and grow their business sustainably.

Business Wales can also help you with all the information, advice and guidance you need if you are considering starting a business from home (Link to an external website) or are growing your business. Please visit the Business Wales website (Link to an external website) and search ‘Childcare’.

Useful Information

Social Care Wales

Social Care Wales (Link to an external website) support the workforce and improvement in social care in Wales You can sign up to their monthly bulletin by e-mailing newsletter@socialcare.wales.

WeCare

WeCare (Link to an external website) aims to help attract, recruit and retain care staff in Wales. The website hosts a growing list of social care and early years employers in Wales, and you can find out more about the many opportunities to work with adults and children, and hear what it’s really like to work in care from those already doing the job.

You can also view a database of social care and early years providers who may have job opportunities.

Childcare and Play Training Programme

As a Registered Childcare and Play provider it is your responsibility to ensure that your, or your staff qualifications are up to date and that you plan your training in advance. It is recommended that you book your place on training courses six months in advance of the renewal date as places are limited and courses can fill up quickly.

The Childcare Unit arrange mandatory and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training courses required by the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) which are open to all registered childcare and play settings (or those planning to register), which include childminders, day nurseries, Cylchoedd meithrin / playgroups (sessional childcare), and out-of-school and holiday clubs.

Training delivery and / or Services are commissioned both internally and externally and whilst every effort is made to ensure that the training programme operates efficiently, the Childcare Unit cannot be held responsible for any issues relating directly to course facilitators, venues, and IT issues during online courses.

To find out more about the upcoming training course dates (mandatory and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses)  and to access the training go to DEWIS Cymru (Sign up / Sign in - Dewis Wales), You will need to create a learner account and complete the details to express an interest in the course.  All courses will be listed on the Dewis Wales Training Course Programme

If there is space on the course you will receive a confirmation email, and you may need to complete some additional registration forms which will be emailed to you. 

E-learning modules can also be accessed via the Council’s e-learning portal – Ceredigion Learning Pool - Ceredigion County Council.  You will need to create an account, or contact dysgu@ceredigion.gov.uk for advice and support.

Please follow the instructions carefully.

Personal emails are used for the purpose  of booking, completing and attending courses only.

All participants will accept that these email addresses may be visible to others during training on Microsoft TEAMS / virtual training.

Booking a place is essential– EVEN IF THE COURSE IS FREE.

Training costs are often subsidised by Ceredigion County Council or Welsh Government funding. However, nominal charges may need to be paid (costs dependent on course).  Cancellation fees may also apply.

Please see the Terms and Conditions below.

If you have any queries regarding training or require further advice or guidance on other childcare and play related issues, please contact the Childcare Unit:

Clic Tel no. 01545 570881 – ask for Childcare Unit
E-mail: gofalplant@ceredigion.gov.uk

Your training experiences, comments and future training wishes are welcomed.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Course delivery

  • Courses may be a mixture of e-learning, hybrid online and face to face training, or face to face in a specific location
  • All courses will be offered on a first come first served basis
  • There is currently no maximum number of staff from each setting that can attend

Fees and charges

  • Some mandatory courses are subsidised by the Local Authority or Welsh Government grants
  • A variable fee will be charged for non-mandatory courses / Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses / online / hybrid courses
  • Some courses may have special instructions (see course details)
  • Where applicable an invoice will be sent to the setting via e-mail after the course date
  • If invoices are not paid, you may become ineligible for future subsidised training courses
  • Payment to be made by bank transfer

Confirmation

  • It is your responsibility to remember which training you / your staff have been booked on to
  • There will be a reminder sent approximately 7-10 working days before the training from DEWIS Cymru.  If there are any changes at this point, please inform us to avoid being charged for late cancellations / non-attendance (see participant cancellation / non-attendance)
  • Please ensure that your staff are given the necessary time to complete the online element of any hybrid course in advance of the practical day as outlined in the course details
  • All course bookings will be confirmed by email with the learner.  Please specify a personal e-mail address on your booking e-mail / form

Course Cancellations

  • Occasionally we will need to cancel courses due to insufficient numbers.  We aim to make these decisions at least 5 working days before the course is due to run
  • If we need to cancel a course at short notice e.g. poor weather, tutor sickness we will notify participants as soon as possible.  To assist in this please ensure you have put appropriate contact numbers in your booking details

IMPORTANT: Participant Cancellation / Non-Attendance (2024-2025)

  • Cancellation fee (under 10 days’ notice) = £57.00
  • Non-attendance / non notification fee = £57.00
  • CPD cancellation fee (under 10 days’ notice) = £15.00
  • Cancellation / Non-attendance fees for other courses will be variable
  • Where participants are repeatedly missing training courses, the setting’s manager / supervisor will be contacted, and you may become ineligible for future subsidised training courses
  • Please remember that we have a waiting list for some courses, and the earlier you can inform us of non-attendance the better as it may allow someone to take your place, and not incur a fee to your setting

Out of County Providers

  • If you provide childcare provision in a neighbouring county to Ceredigion, we will consider your application.  However, first priority of places will be given to staff from Ceredigion
  • If you require training, we advise you to contact your local Family Information Service as they will be able to tell you when the next course is running in your area
  • If you are attending a mandatory course in Ceredigion from a neighbouring county, you will be charged your local authority’s rate for training

Training in Welsh

  • Where possible we will try to offer training through the medium of Welsh.  Unfortunately, this is not always possible with accredited courses due to the awarding body

Certificates

  • You MUST bring PHOTO ID to all First Aid Training sessions.  NO PHOTO ID = NO CERTIFICATE
  • Certificates are provided for all courses.  These will be distributed via e-mail to the learner’s details stated on the course register form
  • For Group B Safeguarding courses delegates must email gofalplant@ceredigion.gov.uk to request a certificate which will be issued once attendance has been confirmed

Please remember:

Delegates attending all training courses will be expected to:

  • Comply with all Health and Safety guidance before and during the training.
  • Be polite, courteous, respectful, and honest at all times
  • Turn up on time and stay for the duration of the course.  It is not acceptable to request permission from the course facilitator to leave early on the day of the training
  • For online training, learners will need their own laptop with camera and sound; headphones to avoid distractions, a quiet space, pen and paper for note taking
  • Ensure the IT equipment is compatible with the online platform several days before commencing any virtual training
  • Keep the camera on during the online delivery of training and actively participate, contribute to and engage within discussions
  • Due to the subject of some training courses, it is not suitable for children to be present in the room if they can hear or see any of the content or discussions
  •  Ensure that any pre-course material provided prior to the start of any course has been read
  • Please be aware that the times stated on the confirmation email are the minimum participation times required by the awarding bodies in order to award certificates and that trainers have the authority to refuse entry to delegates arriving more than 10 minutes late
  • Similarly, trainers have the authority to refuse certification for delegates leaving more than 15 minutes during or before the scheduled end time
  • Food and refreshments will not be provided at face-to-face training courses, therefore delegates are advised to bring these along as necessary

If there is a problem on the day of the training and you are not able to attend, please email gofalplant@ceredigion.gov.uk  with an explanation of your absence, or call us on 01545 570881 during office hours and ask to speak to the Childcare Unit.

Please ensure that your staff are also aware of these contact details.

PRIVACY NOTICE

A privacy notice is a statement that describes how the Council collects, uses, retains and discloses personal information. Different organisations sometimes use different terms and it can be referred to as a privacy statement, a fair processing notice or a privacy policy.

The Ceredigion County Council is a Data Controller and we are responsible for collecting and processing your personal information.

Please read the CEREDIGION CHILDCARE UNIT PRIVACY NOTICE - Ceredigion County Council  and Dysgu Bro Privacy Notice - Ceredigion County Council for more details

 

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