Becoming a childminder
1. Overview
Childminding – is it for me?
You enjoy caring for children and have the patience, energy and enthusiasm to work in childcare.
By law, childminders must register with Ofsted or an Ofsted registered Childminding Agency.
Childminders keep children healthy and safe, and help develop and build self-esteem. They do this following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), like nurseries, pre-schools and reception teachers.
Childminders are self-employed so you’ll need to be organised and professional. You’ll need good physical and mental health and a positive attitude. You’ll work with families of all backgrounds, listening to children and their parents and understanding their needs.
There is ongoing training for childminders to develop quality childcare.
Think about:
- How do you and your family feel about using your home for childminding?
- Is there a demand for childminders in your area?
- Will childminding give you the income you need?
- Is your property suitable?
- Can you get written permission for running a business from your home? (from the owner/ mortgage lender and your local council’s planning department)
- Are you able to complete the compulsory training?
- Can you speak English well enough to support the children you care for?
To make sure you can register, please read the childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted -GOV.UK.
For more information, contact your local support officer. They help you before, during and after the registration process.
What training will I need?
Before registering as a childminder, you will need to complete these 3 stages:
1) a course in how to deliver, and show Ofsted you understand, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (gov.uk).
Courses range from basic to detailed, including:
- National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA): Introduction to the EYFS (EYFS)
- Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY): Childminder pre-registration online briefing
- Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY): Preparing to work in home-based childcare course
- otherwise contact childcare support (email contact form) for information about East Sussex courses.
If you already hold a relevant childcare or teaching qualification you may not need to do a basic EYFS course. To check if your qualification meets the requirements, email Childcare Support.
2) a 12-hour Paediatric First Aid (PFA) course
See note 30 at the bottom of page 27 for advice on choosing a recognised PFA course - GOV.UK.
3) the online, Safeguarding Children course (learning pool e-Learning)
In the first six months you will do the classroom-based ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’ training.
What does it cost?
Compulsory training
- how to deliver the EYFS from a 4-hour overview to a 50-hour Level 3 award, from £5 to £300
- 12-hour Paediatric First Aid course from £90
- e-learning ‘Safeguarding Children’ course, ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’ training £50
Other costs
- Health Declaration check, from £35
- Ofsted registration fee, £35 in 2020
- Enhanced DBS check, plus an annual renewal fee, from £52.50
- Public Liability Insurance, from £30
- Business-use car insurance if you’ll use your car for childminding, varies
- Data Protection registration, from £40
- publicity materials such as business cards, varies
- play or safety equipment, varies
The Ofsted application
After training you need to apply for your DBS check and ask your doctor to complete a health declaration about you, please see links below:
- online DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) (gov.uk) checks (previously known as CRB (Criminal Records Bureau)) for you and all over-16s linked with your application.
- the health declaration form - GOV.UK
You are now ready to apply to Ofsted to register. It usually takes 12 weeks for Ofsted to register you.
All the information you need to apply is in the quick guide on how to register - GOV.UK.
For more detail, please read the childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted - GOV.UK.
After registration, you need to:
- get public liability insurance (some include Professional Association membership and a pack of record-keeping documents).
- get business-use car insurance, if you’ll use your car for childminding.
- register your business with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Create your online account within 3 months.
- check whether you need data protection registration - GOV.UK.
- up-date your record with the County Council’s Customer Relations Team when they contact you. Advertise with them for free.
- report any accidents, incidents or changes to your details to Ofsted.
- complete ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’ training within six months. Book through the East Sussex Learning Portal.
- Contact eyee@eastsussex.gov.uk if you are considering providing funded childcare places. You will need to complete an application form before you can provide funded places
Advice and information
For help and information, contact your local support officer:
- email: childcare support
- telephone: 01323 463 026
For help with the online application telephone Ofsted: 0300 123 1231
Further advice:
- Website: Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
Telephone: 0300 003 0005 - Website: Morton Michel (specialises in childcare insurance)
Telephone: 0330 058 9861 - Website: Business help and advice (gov.uk)
Telephone: 0800 998 1098 - Website: Tax and National Insurance (gov.uk)
Telephone: 0300 200 3500 - Website: Czone (EYFS resources)
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