Becoming a registered childminder

Find out more about registering as a childminder and how to apply for a £600 start-up grant.

What is a childminder?

A childminder is someone who is registered either with Ofsted or a childminder agency, who provides care and education for children under the age of 8, in their own home for more than 2 hours a day.

A registered childminder can: 

  • care for a maximum of 6 children under the age of 8 - of these 6 children, 3 can be under the age of 5 and one can be under the age of one
  • provide wraparound care - before and after school for school-age children
  • create a nurturing environment for babies and toddlers
  • offer funded places to parents through the Early Years Free Entitlements (EYFE) government scheme for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds
  • apply for a £600 Start-Up Grant

Find out more about registering as a childminder

Come along to our friendly information session to get all the support and advice you need about registering as a childminder in Brighton & Hove.

The date of the next childminder information session is:  

  • Tuesday 1 October, 10am to 11:30am at a venue in central Brighton

Book your place on the next childminder information session.

In this session, we will:

  • explain the Ofsted registration process
  • look at a typical day of a childminder and their roles and responsibilities
  • talk about business and marketing
  • share discounted training opportunities
  • answer your specific queries so you can decide if it's the right career for you

The Ofsted registration process

Whilst childminders are unique and have their own skills and qualities to offer, Ofsted has a registration process to ensure childminders:

  • are suitable people
  • have suitable premises
  • have the skills, knowledge and competency to fulfil the role

The Ofsted registration process can take up to 12 weeks.

Read more about registering with Ofsted.

Read GOV.UK's guide on how to register with Ofsted if you want to look after children at home.

Before you apply to Ofsted

Before you complete the Ofsted online application, you should:

  • attend your free Childminder Information Session  or contact your local Childminding Development Officer at Brighton & Hove City Council to introduce yourself and your childcare plans
  • complete all required training which includes:
    • home-based childcare course that covers the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, discounted childminding UK training is available for all Brighton & Hove residents
    • paediatric first aid course – minimum 12 hours / Level 2 equivalent
    • child protection training – safeguarding
    • food safety qualification
  • apply for an Enhanced DBS check for you and everyone in your household over the age of 16
  • complete a Health Declaration form

Preparing for the registration visit

Once your application is received, Ofsted will arrange a registration visit to your home. This will normally take place once all your checks are complete but could happen earlier.

It's important that you're ready to provide childcare at this point. An inspector will not normally make more than one registration visit.

Ofsted will check that you and your home are suitable to look after other people's children before they register you.

Contact our Childminding Development Officer once you have a registration visit date. They will come out to your home and help you prepare. Find out more about an Ofsted registration visit.

At the registration visit, Ofsted will tell you if you have been successfully registered.

You can start childminding when you get your registration certificate.

When you are registered

Once you're registered you can:

For more advice and information

For support and advice from Brighton & Hove Early Years and Childcare Team send an email to eyc@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

For help with the online application phone 0300 123 1231.

Book your place on the next childminder information session.