Becoming a childminder

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Becoming a registered childminder

If you are a parent or carer looking for a childminder, please see our Family Information Service pages

Registered childminders are professional childcarers who work in their own homes to provide care and education for other people's children. They are registered and inspected by OFSTED.  

Childminders are self employed and responsible for their own tax and National Insurance. They negotiate a contract with parents and charge a fee.

There is support to help you register as a childminder. A good starting point is to ask yourself some questions [PDF 13kb] to help you consider if childminding is likely to suit you. You can also read about childminders and their experiences or look at some Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 13kb] to give you an insight into what's involved.

 

Doing a bit of research 

It is important to find out if there is a need for a new childminding business in your area or the type of childcare service you could offer families to help attract them to you. Looking at the Family Information Service Directory is a useful way to find out what childcare provision is already in your area.

You can also take a look at this report on childminding statistics by ward [PDF 29KB]  to give you an insight into the number and places already provided by registered childminders.

 

How do I start the registration process?

If you think you are interested in becoming a childminder in Brighton & Hove you can come to a pre-registration briefing session where you can hear all about the registration process and what's involved running a childminding business. These run from children's centres.

Complete this online application form to apply and pay for a session. There is a non refundable fee of £10 to attend (£20 if working outside of Brighton & Hove) and we will email you the date and location of the next course in your area shortly.  If you have any further questions regarding the pre-registration briefing sessions, please contact Graham Slaughter on (01273) 296108.

You can read our childminding Pre-Registration Briefing Pack [PDF 67KB] which takes you through the basic information you need to register. This is all discussed at the pre-registration briefing session.

To become a registered childminder you must meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory guidance. All providers are required to use the EYFS to ensure that whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident their child will receive a quality experience that supports their care, learning and development.

You must complete a childcare training course before you can register as a childminder.  This course will cover all aspects of the EYFS to support you in implementing the requirements.

You can download the EYFS guidance either from the department of education website or Foundation Years.

You must also complete a paediatric first aid course before registration.  It is advisable to book on to a course as soon as possible.  You can find an approved course in our childcare workforce development section.

Next steps to registering as a childminder

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