I applied a few years ago as I was working with 2 assistants and Ofsted gave us permission to care for 8 children. We had been looking after the children for 2 years when I put the planning application in.
I used a planning consultant to handle my application. Lots of neighbours objected citing noise and traffic as the objections. I had a 65 signature petition in support but our local councillor said there was no need for a childmindind service on our estate.
We didn't get permission and although I could have appealed the stress at the time was not worth it for 2 extra children. I reduced my numbers of mindees and had to lose 1 of my assistants.
The worst thing though came out of the blue - I assumed that I would then be OK to carry on with 6 children, but the council wrote to me to say I was not allowed to mind at all at the premises. Not even 1 child. They even sent an enforcement officer round to make sure that I knew I had to cease minding within 28 days. We had to sell the house and we rented somewhere so I could continue to mind in the meantime and provide continuity of care for the children.
4 years on I now have a lovely home, I mind 6 children with another childminder and I have not applied for planning.
Your council may be more forgiving than mine, it was an horrendous experience and one I wouldn't want to go through again. This all sounds really negative and I'm sorry if I've worried you more but be prepared that if they say no they may say NO to childminding at all. It's a can of worms that is sometimes best left unopened and Ofsted don't need you to have planning if its 6 children or less!
Good luck
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