What a registered childminder is
A childminder is someone registered either with Ofsted or a childminder agency to provide childcare and education in their own home for more than two hours a day for payment or reward.
A childminder can:
- look after up to six children under the age of eight, of which three of these can be under five
- look after children from babies upwards
- be approved to provide funded early education
- work with an assistant
- provide care before and after school
- work for up to 50% of their time from non domestic premises
Registered childminders are self-employed and run their own businesses.
If you want to work from the child's own home, please visit Becoming a nanny (GOV.UK).
What qualities and skills will I need to be a registered childminder
To become a registered childminder, you should:
- enjoy being with children
- be interested in child development and be able to provide quality play
- be patient, friendly and responsive to children's feelings and needs
- follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (GOV.UK) of standards you must meet for the care and education of children up to the age of five
- be able to support children with special educational needs and disabilities
- a commitment to continuing professional development.