Becoming a Childminder Briefing
Becoming a childminder Briefing Train as a childminder Find out more about childminding Take the
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No two days as a childminder will be the same, however a typical day may include:
STEEP is here to help you through the process of Ofsted registration with courses and information which will put you in the best position for your Ofsted inspection.
Once you’re registered, we’re also here to help to ensure you make the most of your new business and find support among your peers. We know how important the early years of a child are, and how impactful childminders can be during this time.
The process you go through to register as a childminder will be different depending on whether you live in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales. The information below relates to registration in England.
Anyone in who looks after one or more children under the age of 8 years in England, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises, for reward, and for a total of more than two hours in any one day must register with Ofsted as a childminder.
In order to register with Ofsted as a childminder, you will need to:
This session will provide you with an opportunity to:
This is an information event, for which you will receive a certifcate.
After the Briefing:
For those who have attended this briefing we offer a basic skills assessment, so anyone considering becoming a childminder can ensure they have the literacy skills in English needed to follow a Level 3 course. The Introduction to Childminding Practice is a Level 3 course and we aim to ensure course participants have the best chance to excel. The Basic Skills assessment is optional but recommended.
Presented by Rosemarie Dorgan (STEEP tutor)
Our courses run across south east London including Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.
STEEP is the chosen provider of pre-registration childminding courses in Lewisham. Click here to find dates for our next Introduction to Childminding Practice course.
Before you apply to register with Ofsted, you need to have taken a paediatric first aid course – this is one designed for people working with children. The EYFS guidelines for childcarers state that first aid training must:
The Statutory Framework for the early years foundation stage (2017) states that Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well. (3.2) This section goes on to explain what early years providers must do to: safeguard children; ensure the suitability of adults who have contact with children; promote good health; manage behaviour; and maintain records, policies and procedures.
Childminders are also required to have regard to the government’s statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’ 15 and to the ‘Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2015’16 (3.7)
At the time of your Ofsted registration visit, you will need to satisfy them you understand your responsibilities regarding safeguarding, duty of care, child protection and prevent.
STEEP offer a comprehensive one day course Safeguarding, Duty of Care, Child Protection Awareness.
Previously known as a Criminal Records Bureas (CRB) check, the DBS will help you show yourself to be suitable to care for children. Ofsted requires that you, and anyone over 16 associated with your application (for example, your partner or teenage children) obtains an enhanced DBS check. Ofsted also strongly recommends that you join the DBS update service as part of your registration.
You will need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office if you will be keeping personal information electronically, for example the phone or email details of parents.
Before you can register, you need to prove that you are “physically and mentally capable of caring for children”. You can do this by filling in Ofsted’s health declaration booklet. You’ll need to take your completed form to your doctor to sign. This will usually cost a fee.
It’s now time to register with Ofsted on the relevant regsiter. Find out more about the different registers here.
STEEP is here to help you through this process with courses and information which will put you in the best position for your Ofsted inspection.
Once you’re registered, we’re also here to help to ensure you make the most of your new business and find support among your peers. We know how important the early years of a child are, and how impactful childminders can be during this time.
Have a conversation with your local authority Early Years Team to see if they have funding available to help you set up as a childminder.
The Childcare Business Grant is also available for new childminding businesses planning to offer the 30 hours’ free entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds with grants of up to £500 for childminders, and £1000 if you’re planning to offer childcare for disabled children.
| Course | Cost |
| Introduction to Childminding Practice This fee covers Compulsory Basic Homebased Childcare training certificate required at Ofsted registration Visit. 3 days face to face training plus half day setting visit. | £289.00 |
| Safeguarding, Duty of Care, Child Protection Awareness This one day course provides an introduction to ‘Safeguarding’ and explains the procedures to be followed ‘if you are worried a child in your care is at risk or is being abused’. | £80.00 |
| Paediatric first aid training course This one day course provides an introduction to ‘Safeguarding’ and explains the procedures to be followed ‘if you are worried a child in your care is at risk or is being abused’. | £85.00 |
| Disclosure and Barring Service check | From £44.00 (enhanced) plus optional annual renewal fee (currently £13) |
| Health declaration check | From £35.00, depending on your doctor’s fees |
| Registration on Ofsted Early Years Register | £35.00* |
| Registration on Ofsted Childcare Register | £103.00* |
| Register with Information Commissioner’s Office | £40 |
| Optional costs | |
| Professional membership | From £59.50 |
| Childminder public liability insurance | From £28.90 |
*If you join both registers, you’ll pay the lower fee. Different fees will apply if you join a childminder agency.
Becoming a childminder Briefing Train as a childminder Find out more about childminding Take the
