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Becoming a childminder

Are you considering becoming a childminder? Then we can help!

What is a childminder?

A childminder is a person who receives payment for working in their own home, looking after at least one child (aged under eight) for more than two hours a day. A childminder may employ assistants who can be left alone with the children from no more than 2 hours a day (with parental permission).

Become a childminder or nanny (England) from GOV.UK

What is a nanny or home child carer?

Nannies are also known as Home Childcarers and look after children of any age in the child’s own home.

Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted

Childminders and other adults working together on domestic premises

You will need to register as a daycare organisation if you are working with 3 or more adults at the same time and the children are looked after in someone’s home, either your home or someone else’s. This is known as providing childcare on domestic premises. You can either apply to register with Ofsted as a provider of childcare on domestic premises, or you can register with a childminder agency instead. 

Apply to register your nursery or other daycare organisation (gov.uk)

List of childminder agencies (gov.uk)

So you want to be a childminder?

Becoming a childminder is a fantastic career choice for anyone wanting to enter the early years workforce and work directly with children and families. 

This webcast explores the process of becoming a childminder from the very start of the journey right through to registration and beyond.

Join me Zoe Corfield for the next 70 mins as we explore the process together so we can make informed choices and fulfil our career ambitions.

Important links referred to throughout the webcast

Related to the EYFS:

Related to Ofsted:

Related to starting a business:

Funding:

 

What are the registers for early years and childcare?

Early Years Register: Caring for children aged from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday.

Childcare Register, has two parts:

  1. compulsory: caring for children from 1 September after the child’s fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday
  2. voluntary: caring for children aged 8 and over, or join this register if you are choosing to register voluntarily (for example, if you’re a nanny)

Exceptions: When do I not need to register and who cannot register as Childminder?

There are certain exceptions when you do not need to register as a Childminder for example if you are a babysitter looking after children between 6:00pm and 2:00am or a family friend looking after children for less than 3 hours a day.

Alongside this there are times when you cannot register as a childminder for example under 18 are barred from working with children or have been disqualified.

Find out more at GOV.UK - Becoming a Childminder

Website: Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted

Training to become a registered childminder

The Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, effective September 2021, states that to become a registered childminder you must have undertaken the following training:

Website: Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) from GOV.UK

Once you are a registered childminder you must ensure all assistants have Paediatric First Aid and are trained to understand your Safeguarding policies and procedures.

If you would like to know what training you should undertake, or the process to become a registered childminder, please contact our Early Years Improvement Advisers: Telephone 01905 844048,

Training course dates and how to book

There are currently no scheduled dates for our  training course.

If you have any queries regarding the training you should undertake, or the process to become a registered childminder then contact:

Costs and grants

Information on initial costs relating to Registration Fees, DBS and training and insurance:

Website: Become a childminder or nanny (England) from GOV.UK