To become registered first you will need to attend a free pre-registration briefing where you will find out more about becoming a childminder.

Following the briefing session and attendance at relevant training, a member of the Childminding Service will visit your home to carry out a home safety check. Once they are satisfied your home meets the welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, you will receive support to complete your Ofsted application pack which when complete will start your registration process with Ofsted.

You will have to undergo training in the following areas:

  • Child protection - 3hours
  • First aid (Paediatric) - 12hours
  • Early years foundation stage - 5 hours
  • Childminder introductory course (Home Based Childcare Aware) - 50 guided hours (which includes 24 hours taught over 4 session)

All course are delivered in the evenings and at weekends

Yes, this will be part of the application process/pack for Ofsted and all people over the aged of 16 years and who are regularly in your home must also have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check (this includes members of your family).

There are costs involved which include:

  • attendance fees for training - Paediatric First Aid (approximately £70)
  • childminder introductory training - £50
  • meeting the requirements of the Home Safety checks - for example the purchase of stair gates, cupboard locks, plug covers, fireguards, etc.
  • Application Park - a registration fee of £35 will be required
  • a fee will be payable to your Doctor for completion of a Health Declaration booklet on your behalf.  The price for this varies dependent on your GP practice charges
  • insurance
  • supporting documentation - which includes Contracts, Accident and Incident Forms, Attendance Sheets etc.

It will be up to you to set your fees. Before you decide how much to charge for a placement it is a good idea to do a bit of research to find out what other local childminders and childcare providers charge.

The  safeguarding and welfare requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage state that can have up to a maximum of 6 children under 8 years old, no more than three of these can be under the age of 5. Your own children will be included in these numbers.

You will be inspected within thirty months of registration and then you will be inspected every three to five years within Ofsted programme of inspections.