Childminders care for babies, toddlers and children from domestic or non-domestic premises and receive payment for looking after at least one child for more than two hours a day.
To become a registered childminder, you'll need to complete training, pass background checks, and register with Ofsted or a childminding agency. You'll also need to demonstrate that you understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which outlines the standards for early years education and care.
You can register with Ofsted as:
- a childminder based at home
- a childminder based outside the home (known as a ‘childminder without domestic premises’). They are not permitted to work from any domestic dwelling at any time
To register with a childminder agency, contact them directly.
Which childminder register to join
If you are paid to look after children under eight years of age, for more than two hours a day, you need to be registered with Ofsted. There are two registers - the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.
Which register you join depends on the age of the children you’re looking after. You should join the Early Years Register if you’re caring for children aged from birth to five years old.
Many childminders choose to register on both, but some choose to register on the Childcare Register if they plan to only provide out of school care to children.
The Childcare Register has two parts:
- compulsory – for providers caring for children from 1 September after the child’s fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday
- voluntary – join this if you are looking after children aged eight and over, or if you are choosing to register voluntarily
You must:
- have the right to work in the UK
- be suitable to work with children
- be physically and mentally capable of caring for children
Planning permission
Before registering as a childminder on domestic premises you should check if you need planning permission. In most cases, you won’t need planning permission to work as a childminder from your own home. However, when a childminder begins employing staff to care for additional children, the nature of the activity changes and will be considered a shift from a domestic arrangement to a formal childcare facility. In such cases, a change of use is likely to have occurred, and planning permission may be required.
Contact your local planning authority for advice before starting or expanding your childminding business. Apply for planning permission - Westmorland and Furness Council.
Please be aware that working without required planning permission could invalidate your insurance and lead to enforcement action.
Getting registered
Firstly, contact the Family Information Service. They will organise a pre-registration briefing through a home visit with an Early Years Adviser. You must complete this session before you can apply to become a childminder. The briefing will explain the registration process, giving you a chance to ask any questions.
Qualifications and training
Before you can register you will have completed training which helps you to understand and implement the EYFS. You will need to complete an online Childminder Introductory Course. Early Years Advisers can talk you through what’s available.
- Paediatric First Aid Course (12 hours). You must attend this course before you become a childminder. It will give you the knowledge and confidence to deal with common emergencies in a childcare environment.
- Safeguarding Level 1 e-learning training
Before you can register as a childminder you will also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) home based check. Separate DBS checks will be needed for anyone who lives or works in your home aged 16 or over.
Childminders without domestic premises do not need a home based check. DBS checks will not be required for anyone who lives in your home aged 16 or over.
Next steps
Your Early Years Advisor will contact you shortly after the above courses are completed. They will arrange a home visit with you.
When Ofsted receive your application, they will carry out checks to ensure you are suitable to look after children and you do not have a criminal record. Similar checks will be made on every person living in your house who is over 16.
The applicant is also responsible for making sure that their premises comply with planning and building control regulations, and they must comply with the requirements of their local authority environmental health department and local fire authority.
After these checks, an inspector will visit you to discuss your application and make sure your home is suitable and safe for children. Childminders looking after children in the early years age range must meet the requirements of the EYFS statutory framework. The Ofsted inspector will check you have knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) during their visit.
Registration timescale
Registering with Ofsted usually takes around 12 weeks, but timescales vary.
Costs
You will find out more about costs at the pre-registration briefing session or you can visit the Ofsted website for more information.
How many children can I look after?
It depends on how many children you have yourself, how old they are and how much space you have available in your house. As a guide, childminders can be registered for up to six children under the age of eight. Of these, no more than three can be under the age of five and no more than one can be under twelve months old (there may be an exception to this rule if twins are cared for). You will receive a certificate of registration (which can be displayed digitally, for example on a childminders website) and must be made available to parents and carers on request.
Offering free early years provision
Newly registered Childminders can offer early years funding.
Children over the age of 8
Registered childminders can care for children over the age of 8 as long as this does not affect the quality of childcare given to the younger ones on the premises. If you are only going to care for children over the age of 8, there is no requirement for you to register with Ofsted. However, you can choose to go on the voluntary part of the childcare register, which will also allow parents who are eligible to claim help with childcare costs.
The voluntary part of the Ofsted childcare register
The voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register offers the choice of registration to providers who do not have to register with Ofsted. It is a way of showing parents that you meet certain requirements and that you are monitored through inspections. If you did not meet the requirements of the register, Ofsted would take action to ensure that children are not at risk. This could include cancelling your registration on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.
More information
Contact the Family Information Service
Telephone: 07785 456983