Childminding

A childminder is someone registered either with Ofsted or a childminder agency to provide childcare and education in their own home or in non-domestic premises for more than two hours a day for payment or reward.  

What a childminder can do

• 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.
• Work entirely 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.