I'm confused :/

[HappyFeet2014]

Hi I'm new here and been doing a lot of research into childminding. I am currently working full time but would to start my own little business. I attended the meeting with my local council last week and the next course start date is in January. Would I be able to complete the whole process without my employers finding out? Its a family run business and they can be very difficult people. I would be sacked instantly if they did find out. To make it a bit more complicated one of the Managing Directors is an Ofsted Inspector
I am also having a new kitchen installed in January... I understand the time for completing the course and registering with Osfted can vary but does anyone know if you have to register with Ofsted right away after completing the course? I apologise if I'm not making sense. My worry is if I do not start the course in January there wont be another one for some time but I may not be ready for the pre reg visit when it comes to it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

[Ripeberry]

If they sacked you just because you were trying to set up a business for yourself, then you should take them to a tribunal! Problem is, that most likely your 'boss' will find out anyhow, as they will have a list of new people starting/needing to be inspected. I can't see what business it is of theirs if you wish to change jobs.

[Ripeberry]

Also it can take months and months to be registered, so your kitchen fitting should be done in plenty of time.

[HappyFeet2014]

You would think that but they are very good at finding things to sack people for especially if they hand in their notice or get wind of them looking for another job. Thank you for your reply

[blue bear]

There are childminders who work in employment and childmind around their work, how is your boss to know you are not planning on childminding weekends and evenings?

[HappyFeet2014]

There are childminders who work in employment and childmind around their work, how is your boss to know you are not planning on childminding weekends and evenings?

Our contract means we cannot have a second job... not even babysitting

[CSR2014]

This is a bit of a tricky one re references! I was ok as my previous role had already ended before I applied to Ofsted.

Here's a quick summary of how long the process took me:
(All 2014)
Jan - contacted Local Authority to enquire re childminding (told next briefing was in Mar)
Mar - attended LA briefing (told at this to sign up to CYPOP5 online training course, NOTE - CYPOP5 may now have a different name of course!)
Mar - May - completed CYPOP5 online course
June/July/Aug - attended some basic LA courses including First Aid
Aug - requested health form to be completed by my GP
Aug - requested DBS's for myself, OH and Mum who lives with us
Please note - I could have requested health form and done DBS's earlier than I did!!
End of Sep - submitted online Odfsted application form INCLUDING REFEREE DETAILS
Beginning of Nov - successfully (phew!) completed pre-reg inspection

The whole thing (in my experience) is not a quick process!! You can speed it up slightly by applying for your health form and DBS checks earlier in the process.

Hope this gives you some idea of how long it can take!!

[HappyFeet2014]

That's great thank you I think I'm going to go for it in January if it can take this long. I have also read that Ofsted don't necessarily need a reference from your employer- Is this the case?
Thank you for your help

[moggy]

That's great thank you I think I'm going to go for it in January if it can take this long. I have also read that Ofsted don't necessarily need a reference from your employer- Is this the case?
Thank you for your help

No, reference can be anyone like a long standing friend, former colleague, neighbour even- anyone who has known you for long enough and can speak for your suitability and trustworthiness. (I had 2 friends do mine)

You are certainly looking at a process lasting several months to get registered, so no problem with the kitchen! And the visit to your house is the last thing they do so you have ages to get ready.

[HappyFeet2014]

That makes things a lot easier for me then. Thank you. I've just filled out my booking form. I'm going to send them off tomorrow

[JCrakers]

What an awful situation to be in. I would definitely be looking to leave and start something new. You say its a family business..is it your family?
Sacking people for no reason and not letting you have a second job...sounds like a nightmare.

I would take the leap although not that easy If you don't have any money saved.

[bunyip]

Ripeberry is perfectly correct, assuming you've been there long enough to gain automatic right to a tribunal. And if they do find 'something else' to sack you for, then they also have to find evidence of whatever the accusation is. If it's not gross misconduct, then they must go through a lengthy process which, in the early stages must be clearly aimed at improving a staff member's performance - they must show they are not just setting in motion a process for which the ultimate goal is to sack somebody. otherwise they're wasting their time and the case would be thrown out at tribunal.

IIWY then I'd join a suitable trade union immediately, if you've not already done so. And if they try to sack you for that, they're in breach of all laws relating to the UN Convention on Human Rights, meaning you can go beyond a mere industrial tribunal and ultimately take them to the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice.

Interesting that they have an Ofsted inspector on the board. This raises 2 points:-

1. If s/he can hold 2 jobs and you can't, then that could be evidence that particular clause is what the law calls 'unconscionable terms'.
2. S/he might be guilty of constructive malpractice and subject to a complaint to Ofsted if her/his company runs a policy of discriminating aginst you for trying to apply for registration.

Take legal advice. If you're a union member, you should be able to get specialised advice at little or no cost.

[HappyFeet2014]

No the family run business is no part of mine. I have submitted my forms today so I will deal with it when it comes to it I suppose. They wouldn't be able to gather evidence to sack me but I am aware of other members of staff being placed on garden leave for searching for another job. The Oftsed inspector is allowed to be employed elsewhere as this is "benefiting" the company. Its all a bit of a nightmare which is why I am doing this now. I've always wanted to do it but thought it would be a few years down the line. Thank you for all your input