Becoming a childminder
All children deserve the care and support they need to have the best start in life. Children learn and develop at a faster rate from birth to five years old than at any other time in their lives, so their experiences in early years have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe, and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high-quality early learning provide the foundation children need to fulfil their potential (Early Years Foundation Stage 2024).
Some parents feel their child’s needs are best met by attending a provision that is based in a home setting. A childminder provides high quality childcare through planning Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) play based activities and experiences that inspire, stimulate and develop children’s individual learning and interests. Through offering these experiences and planned observations of the child, this will support the child’s physical, emotional, language and mathematical development. Furthermore, working closely alongside the parents, childminders can provide bespoke childcare.
Before you start
Childminders must register with Ofsted.
Childminders must meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.
The EYFS document will ensure you meet the necessary requirements.
Before registering with Ofsted you must complete first aid training (for the appropriate age group) and training which helps to understand and implement the EYFS (EYFS 2024). The EYFS requirements are as follows:
- Staff qualifications, training, support and skills – pages 19-20
- Annexe A – criteria for effective PFA training - page 33
You will need to pay for: an Ofsted registration fee, DBS check, first aid training, any childcare or EYFS training needed, insurance and Information Commissioners Office (ICO) registration. Please visit the government website for more information.
Ofsted have an information booklet on the process of becoming a childminder.
Information about registering as a childminder can be found on the GOV.UK website along with a pre-registration briefing.
How to register with Ofsted
In order to become a childminder you will need to be registered with Ofsted. Information about registering as a childminder can be found on the GOV.UK using the links below:
Childminders on the Early Years Register provide care for one or more children aged between birth and five, to whom they are not related, for reward, in someone’s home – usually their own.
Childminders on the Childcare Register care for one or more children aged between five and eight years or from eight to 18 years, in someone’s home – usually their own.
An early years and childcare provider can apply to join one register or both registers at the same time.
Childminder start-up grants scheme opening
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the childminder start-up grants scheme will open on 30th November 2023. Recipients must have completed their childminder registration between 15th March 2023 and 31st March 2025 before applying for the grant. The grants are worth £600 for those registering with Ofsted and £1200 for those registering with a childminder agency. The DfE has confirmed the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
Disclaimer: Milton Keynes City Council accepts no responsibility for the actual content of any materials suggested as information sources in this publication, whether these are in the form of printed publications or on a website. Their use should not be interpreted as an endorsement of particular companies or their products.
The websites referred to in these materials existed at the time of going to print. Please check all website references carefully to see if they have changed and substitute other references where appropriate. Also, check all signposted training (whether MKCC or independent) meets the needs of your setting.