Childminders are self-employed and must be registered with Ofsted if they look after children under 8 years of age. This means they are inspected by Ofsted and have had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they start childminding. Childminders who look after children 8 years and over can choose to register with Ofsted, on their voluntary register.
To become a registered childminder you also have to:
- attend a training course, such as "Home-based Care: Understand how to set up a home-based childcare service";
- have a First Aid qualification for Babies and Children (Paediatric First Aid);
- have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing
Coram PACEY: Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years