Registering as a childminder
To be a childminder you need to be at least 18 years old.
You will need to register with Ofsted or a Childminder Agency before you can look after children under the age of eight years of age for more than two hours a day.
Further details about registering as a childminder.
Registration can take up to 12 weeks.
It is an offence to provide such childcare without being registered or on premises that have not been approved.
Registration
There are two registers:
- The Early Years Register - for providers caring for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday. Providers on this register must meet the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- The Childcare Register has two parts:
- part A: compulsory - for providers caring for children from 1 September after the child's fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday.
- part B: Voluntary - for providers caring for children aged eight and over.
Who can register
To be a childminder you need to:
- have the right to work in the UK.
- be at least 18.
Who cannot register
You cannot register if:
- you’re barred from working with children
- you’ve been refused registration in the past or had your registration cancelled (other than for not paying your annual fee)
- you live in the same place as someone else who is disqualified.
What you need to do to register
You must apply to register at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-register-as-a-childminder or register with an Ofsted registered childminder agency.
The application contains guidance notes throughout to help you complete the required sections. There is more information about registering as a childminder on the gov.uk website.
You will also need to:
- Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check online and join the update service.
- Ofsted will not accept any application without a DBS certificate number or confirmation that you have subscribed to the update service.
Training and courses
- Childminders must have appropriate skills, knowledge, and a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in order to provide good quality early years provision.
- You can attend training provided by any training organisation; it is your responsibility to check that courses you choose meet the requirements of the EYFS.
- Childminders should read ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners’.
You must:
- Complete a nationally approved and accredited paediatric first aid course.
- Childminders must demonstrate that they have a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding within the EYFS and how to implement it in their setting. In childminding settings, the childminder is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL must attend a training course consistent with the criteria set out in Annex C. Childminders should read ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: Advice for practitioners’.
The lead practitioner must attend a child protection course, taking account of any advice from the local children safeguarding board or local authority on recommended courses. We recommend childminders, as child protection leads, attend the class-based child protection training course provided by the local authority.
If you cannot secure a place prior to your Ofsted registration application, you should complete the free online training provided by the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board and book the next available place on the class-based course. Please email eyqualitymanager@bromley.gov.uk.
You will need confirmation of your place ready to show your Ofsted inspector.
After you are registered
- You will be contacted by one of our quality improvement officers who will offer you advice and support until your first Ofsted grading inspection.
- You will be invited to workshops/training specifically designed to meet aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- You will be invited to information sessions to up-date you on local and national issues and to network with other childminders.
- You will have access to all local authority documents to support curriculum planning and the development of your setting.