Hi, not sure where to put this so apologies if it's in the wrong place.

I am looking into becoming a childminder & I am concerned as my partner has a conviction for Affray (A stupid drunken moment of madness a couple of years ago) :blush:

Do you think I would be declined by Ofsted because of this and therefore not be approved?

Also, I have a two bedroomed modern town house with only one front room, do Ofsted inspect the size of your house & can they also fail you on this?

Your help would be very much appreciated. :jump for joy:

I can only advise that you are honest on the CRB form - from what I understand they are looking for violence and acts against children But other than that I am not sure. You could always ask OFSTED or NCMA what they think.

DH got bound over just before I met him in 1995 for a drunken fight outside a pub. I have never had any probs with CRB (used to be OFSTED minder before moving to Wales) in fact he drives school buses now and never has any probs either.

OFSTED do have to take the size available into consideration but providing it was not dangerous they would not refuse you, although they may limit numbers. I lived in a house with just one room and kitchen downstairs and they had no problem registering me.

When you enquire about minding you are normally invited along to an information/breifing session by your local area where they will answer questions and explain procedures to you

My understanding is that the cRB check, although enhanced, is to see whether anyone is putting children in danger so I would say have a go and see what the results are. No form no gain.

As for the size of your house, they may restrict the number of children you have and that will be decided on your first inspection.

First of all thank you both so much for your really helpful responses, they've really helped put my mind at rest!

I am being a little premature as my plans are to hopefully have a child within the next couple of years and once my maternity leave is up in my current job I would like to look in to child minding as firstly, I don't think I could bare to have a child and then have to leave it to go back to work in an office, & two I would like to get into child care as a new career & this way I can earn money and gain experience and hopefully qualifications (in the form of an NVQ, etc) in the process... You know what they say about the best laid plans though! :panic:

I think as long a I could perhaps care for my own child and then charge to look after a couple of others I would be ok, and i should still be able to earn as much as i perhaps would going back to work part time and having to pay for child care on top of that! So as long as my house is big enough for that, should be fine!

God I hope I'm not being naiive! :littleangel: