How to become a childminder

Anyone working in their own home and rewarded for looking after children aged under 8 years of age, for more than two hours per day must normally be registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's services and Skills (Ofsted), or registered with a childminding agency.

If you are planning to only look after your grandchildren or other children who you are related to, you do not normally need to register.

For further information visit GOV.UK website

If you intend to care for children aged 0 to 5 years of age (birth to the 31 August following the child's 5th birthday), then you need to register on the Early Years Register (EYR).

Childminders on the EYR are required to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is to ensure whatever settings parents choose, they can be confident their child will be safe and well cared for whilst receiving a quality experience that supports their child's development and learning.

A register of providers who are registered by Ofsted to care for children from birth to 17 years. The register has two parts:

• The compulsory part - providers must register on this part if they care for one or more children following their fifth birthday until they reach their eighth birthday.
• The voluntary part - childminders may choose to join the voluntary strand if they wish to care for children aged eight years and over.

You need to apply to Ofsted to be registered or a childminder agency. If you act as a childminder for children under eight years old without being registered, it could lead to prosecution.

If you choose to register with Ofsted, once you have submitted your application forms, they will carry out additional checks to make sure you are suitable to look after children. You will also be required to complete a health declaration and an enhanced disclosure check (DBS). An inspector will also visit your home if you register on the Early Years Register, to check whether it is safe, suitable and that you are ready to take children.

You may need to make some adaptations, such as installing safety gates and making sure any glass conforms to current safety requirements. You need to complete a 'risk assessment' covering all the areas of your home you intend to use for childcare purposes. You also need to obtain an enhanced disclosure form from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for anyone else in your home aged over 16 years.

See more information about Ofsted registration on the GOV.UK website.

• Great job satisfaction comes with the pleasure and enjoyment of working with children.
• Flexibility - you can set your own working hours.
• You are your own boss.
• You will be a recognised professional and will have the opportunity to attend additional training to develop your skills and knowledge.
• You may be able to offer government funded places for eligible children.
• You may also care for additional children aged 8 years and older and can choose to join the childcare voluntary childcare register.
• Recieve a start-up grant

The childminder start-up grants scheme will open for applications by Thursday 30 November 2023.

As we announced in March 2023, we’ll offer:

• £600 for those registering with Ofsted
• £1200 for those registering with a childminder agency

Childminder agency childminders will receive their £1200 in 2 instalments, with a 6-month limit on the second instalment. They’ll get:

• the first £600 following registration
• the second £600 once they’re operational and caring for at least one child

Recipients must complete their childminder registration between 15 March 2023 and 31 March 2025 before applying for the grant.

Childminders must apply for the grant within 2 months of registering or the scheme launching.

Recipients cannot receive more than one grant from the scheme.

The scheme:

• will operate in England only
• is only open to new childminders (these are individuals who have not been previously registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency within 12 months prior to applying for the grant)

We’ll publish guidance with more detail when the scheme launches.

The scheme will be facilitated by Ecorys UK Ltd, subject to contract.

Normally you can look after up to six children under the age of eight (including your own). Of these, normally no more than three children can be under the age of five and no more than one child can be under one year old.

The space available in your home may affect the number of children you can be registered to look after. 

As you will be self-employed you can set your own rates of pay - the amount you earn will depend on how many children you look after and for how long.

You can choose to work full time or part time depending on your own family commitments. Some childminders offer unsociable hours and childminders can register to provide overnight care. You can deduct business-related expenses from your income before you pay tax.

Please contact the Training Team on 01706 927851 to express your interest in becoming a childminder.

The team will send you an email which includes details around ‘How to Apply to Become a Childminder', who to contact regarding funding eligibility and support with Numeracy and Literacy training if required.