Who is this book aimed at?

This book is for existing childminders, or parents who would like to know more about childminding and what it offers them, and to people considering becoming a childminder or starting their Introduction to Childminding training (ICP).

Personally, as a childminder with over 7 years experience and working towards accreditation, I thought it would be very limiting, but when I was sent a copy to review for 'Under5s', I was pleasantly surprised! 

The book covers everything you need to know and more... it starts simply, preparing you for your first inspection visit, and goes on to include sample contracts, the information you should record and reminds you about which expenses you can claim.

There is advice within its pages on dealing with disputes, on how to take someone to court for fees outstanding (a situation I have been luckily enough to not have been in), and on how to talk to parents and solve issues with them.

There is information on special needs, background information on different conditions, and ideas on how to help children in your care, or to adapt your setting to make it more suitable (without any great expense) it is written in an easy to read and digest format, helping you to feel confident that you now know the basics.

The chapter on Equal Opportunities helps to clarify and explain current thinking, and also gives an overview of different religions and cultures, from the perspective of how it may affect a young child in your care. It also gives ideas of how you can use multicultural resources without any real expense or tokenism. Just by reading this chapter, I was made more aware of things that we all do anyway - for example looking at different food products in the supermarket, and maybe buying and tasting them, or cooking a meal together, or providing a positive role model, and challenging stereotypes.

Children's behaviour, children's learning, and the foundation stage are all included as well as information on qualifications, networks, writing policies and more... 

If there was only one book sat on your bookshelf  - I would say, choose this one.... it is a reference book that I am sure you will turn to, time and time again during your career, and yet it is simple, easy to read, and still manages to answer your unanswered questions...

• Do you know the exclusion time for Scabies?
• Do you know how to object to a condition imposed by Ofsted?
• Do you know about parent responsibility?
• Do you feel you'd like more information on Child Protection?
• Do you want to know why the baby is crying?
• Do you know know what to do about parent prejudices?

Reviewed by Helen Renouf
Accredited Childminder