Become a childminder
Why become a childminder?
Love spending time with children? Start a rewarding career that fits around your life. As a childminder, you’ll care for young children in a safe, welcoming setting—often your own home—while running your own small business.
You can:
- Choose your hours
- Shape your environment
- Build lasting relationships with families in your community
What Do You Need?
You don’t need a mansion—or even to own your home—to get started.
Whether you’re in a cosy flat or have access to a local venue, childminding can work for you. Many childminders choose to care for children in community halls or collaborate with nearby schools. And as your business grows, you can even bring on an assistant to help you expand and thrive.
No formal qualifications? No problem.
What really matters is who you are.
Are you:
· naturally caring,
· calm under pressure
· and committed to providing exceptional childcare here in East Sussex?
Childminding could be the perfect fit.
If that sounds like you, let’s explore how to turn your strengths into a rewarding career
Childminding can be very rewarding when you work closely with a child and their family. It’s the ultimate in job satisfaction when you can make a major difference in a child’s life.
How much can you earn?
Some families receive government help to pay for childcare, and you’ll be paid directly for funded places. Current rates (subject to yearly updates) are:
- Under-2s: £11.15 per hour
- 2-year-olds: £8.20 per hour
- 3- and 4-year-olds: £5.42 per hour
For privately funded places, you set your own fees. You can care for up to six children under 8 years old at once. Just keep these limits in mind:
- No more than three under age 5
- Only one child under age 1
- Your own children are included in this count
It gave me an income and allowed me to be at home with my own children when they were young.
Grants
See if you are eligible and how to apply for grants for childminders.
Is it hard to set up?
Start by completing essential training and checks to ensure you’re well-prepared. Then register with Ofsted or a childminder agency
We know starting a business can feel overwhelming, which is why we offer hands-on support at every stage, including:
- Dedicated phone and email guidance
- Step-by-step help with registration
- Ongoing support through your first inspection and beyond
Have questions? Get in touch with the East Sussex Childcare Support Team:
Email: Childcare Support Team
Telephone: 01323 463026
What does a childminder do?
Childminding is never one-size-fits-all—every day brings something new.
You might:
· organise exciting day trips,
· lead creative play at home,
· or run activities from a local hall or school setting.
As your business grows, you can even bring on an assistant to help expand your care.
You’ll be nurturing children aged 0 to 8, offering a safe, playful, and inspiring environment where they can learn and grow. No formal qualifications are required to begin. We’ll support you every step of the way—from training to inspections by Ofsted, ensuring you're confident and ready to shine.
A Day in the Life of a Childminder
Want to know what it’s really like? Read the inspiring story of a childminder who turned this flexible job into a rewarding business.
Why do parents choose childminders rather than nurseries?
For many parents, childminders offer the best of both worlds:
- professional childcare
- a warm, family-style environment
Childminders provide greater flexibility to suit changing schedules and unexpected events. Ideal care for families juggling busy lives.
Children benefit from:
- smaller group sizes,
- personalised attention
- a consistent caregiver who gets to know them deeply.
It’s not just childcare—it’s a trusted partnership between childminder and family.
Who can become a childminder?
Childminding is open to everyone. Whether you’re looking for a part-time opportunity or a full-time career. It’s a deeply rewarding path that lets you balance work with your home life. You can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
With the right support and training, you’ll create a nurturing space where little ones can thrive.
You can have a big influence on their progress, and sometimes help them achieve, and their family overcome, what previously seemed like a big struggle or barrier.
How to become a childminder
At a glance
-
Decide whether to register as an independent childminder with Ofsted or to register with a childminder agency. See Work as a childminder – GOV.UK for more details.
- Follow the registration and training advice.
- Contact us for help if you need it.
Email: Childcare Support Team
Telephone: 01323 463026
Should you work through an agency or go solo?
To become a childminder, you need to register with Ofsted or a childminding agency (CMA).
Working with an agency
If you register with an agency, you will still be self-employed, but you will get help from the agency. They can make running your own business easier. The agency will take some of the money you earn, but they will help you find new families to work with.
The agency will take a share of your income but will help promote your business.
Working independently
If you choose to work independently, the Council will help you. You can get free online training, advice, and support. We'll help you register with Ofsted and keep supporting you once you are a childminder. We can also tell you about any grants you can get.
Promoting your service
Whether you work independently or with an agency, we'll list your business on the East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS) so families can find you.
How much does it cost?
If you register with Ofsted by yourself instead of using an agency, you should be ready to spend between £600 and £800. It might cost more if you go through an agency.
For more details on costs, see: Become a childminder: How much it costs - GOV.UK.
Grants
See if you are eligible and how to apply for grants for childminders.
Things to think about before you apply
- Do you have permission from your landlord or mortgage company?
- Does your home and car insurance cover you?
- If you have children of your own, how will they feel about sharing their home with other children?
- Don’t forget, you must register with HMRC to pay tax.
Grants for childminders
Childminder Start-Up grant
The Childminder start-up grant was closed in the spring of 2025. It was a national grant provided to new childminders to help cover the costs associated with registering as a childminder.
Wraparound Care grant
Are you new to offering childcare before and after school or expanding your current places? You could be eligible for a £600 Wraparound Care Grant to help cover start-up costs.
Wraparound care runs Monday to Friday, 8:00am before school and until 6:00pm after school. You can provide this flexible care from:
- your home
- a nursery
- a community centre
- or partner school.
To apply, email us at email us at Wraparound Childcare by 19th December 2025.