hi there
I'm in the very beginning stages of starting my career as a childminder, one of the things I'm having trouble finding information on, is what changes i will need to make to my home. is there a checklist somewhere i can view of things considered hazards? perhaps a list of common changes that are required?
I currently have a two bed-roomed top floor flat, with an open plan kitchen and living room.

I'm quite happy to make any changes, but i would like to have an idea of what to expect in case it involves saving a great deal of money

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hi! You need to look around and identify hazards, for example sharp knives in the kitchen, and then decide if you think the risk to the children is such that you need to reduce it, or not. If your knives are already in a locked drawer or are stored in a knife block high up where kids can't access them then you probably need to do nothing! You need to write this down, the drawer lock is your control measure. My only expense was in drawer locks and an extra catch on my garden fence, but I already had stair gates fitted! Now I'm into moving stuff up and away as my little mindee is just starting to cruise! This is partly to protect him, partly to protect my stuff! I think there's lots in free resources and also have a look at the HSE's website and ROSPA, they both have lot's of info on home hazards like chemicals, trailing cables, fire hazards, hot liquids etc
I hope that helps and I haven't stated the obvious!

Hi. I was given this information when I did the childminding course.

Have you done your cypop5 as in text book for that there is a list of suggestions in that

I don't know how to post links from my phone but there is a really good home risk assessment on the south Gloucestershire website. I use it and it was the one risk assessment ofsted liked on my inspection.

Thank you very much, those are all very helpful. I had a couple of people telling me I was going to have to make all sorts of expensive alterations to the layout of my house. Seeing as neither of these people are childminders themselves I wasn't sure where their info was coming from, so thank you very much, I can get started on some lovely risk assessments. AF x