Do you enjoy working with children, want to work from your own home in Rhondda Cynon Taf and be your own boss? Then becoming a registered childminder might be for you!

Childminders are day-care providers based in the community who work in their own homes caring for children. A career in childminding can be flexible to suit you and your family’s needs. You are responsible for setting your own fees and for running your childminding business your way.

During National Childminding Week (June 11-17, 2012), Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Children’s Services is reminding potential childminders that it can offer them help and guidance towards this fulfilling career.

To become a registered childminder in Rhondda Cynon Taf, you will first need to attend a briefing information session where you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire highlighting any areas you feel you would like clarification on. This will help you decide if childminding is for you.

You will need to follow a number of steps, including completing a recognised qualification, completing a first aid course and applying for public liability insurance.

Childminding can lead to opportunities to gain further nationally-recognised qualifications. You will also get the chance to become part of RCT’s Quality Assured Childminding Network where you will receive extra support and training from your network co-ordinator.

For further information please contact: Gillian Evans, Childminding Development and Network Co-ordinator, Ty Trevithick, Abercynon CF45 4UQ Tel: 01443 744373 or E-mail: gillian.evans@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk

Cllr Annette Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, Rhondda CYnon Taf, said: "Childminding is a fulfilling career for people who love working with children and who want to provide home-based childcare and education for children from birth to 15 years.

"We would particulary like to recruit adults who are willing to work unsociable hours as this is the only childcare sector in which people work before 7am and after 7pm.

"Some members of our quality assurance network in Rhondda Cynon Taf also provide childminding for vulnerable children, including children with special/additional needs."

* Parents, carers and childminders can borrow a range of toys to keep young ones entertained, through Rhondda Cynon Taf’s FREE Toy Library service.

The Toy Library offers a range of fun and developmental toys for children aged from 0-four which can be borrowed for free and used in the home.

Puzzles, games, construction toys, musical toys, books, puppets and much more can be borrowed, and a delivery service can be arranged.

A full catalogue of toys is now available. For more information, please call:

07824 496474 (Rhondda area)

07824 496 473 (Cynon area)

07824 496 468 (Taf area)

Play equipment for older children aged five to 14 is also available from the RCT Play Resource Centre, based in Ferndale. Circus skills equipment, mini and large size goals, basketball nets, large soft play and a range of sports equipment can all be borrowed for free.

Please call the Play Resource Centre for further information on 01443 730552.

The Toy Library and Play Resource Centre are part of the wide range of services on offer to children across Rhondda Cynon Taf, delivered by the Council’s Early Years and Family Support Services.

* For more information on childcare and the wide range of support for families across Rhondda Cynon Taf, please go to the Family Information Service pages or call 0800 180 415