Careers in childcare

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Setting up a nursery in Barnet

If you are interested in setting up a registered nursery, Barnet Early Years Team can offer start up business advice and registration support. Further information can be found in the following leaflet 'Do you want to become a childcare provider?'

For information on registering as a childcare provider or setting up a childcare provision, contact FIS

Check an early years qualification

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a new digital tool to help early years managers quickly check whether staff qualifications meet the requirements for staff: child ratios in England.

Early years managers can enter details about the qualification such as the course start date, level and awarding organisation, and receive a clear outcome that can be printed for their records. Please follow the link below to start the check.

Start - Check an Early Years qualification

Becoming a registered childminder

General Information About Becoming a Childminder

What is childminding?

  • Childminding refers to caring for children in your or someone else’s home for payment or reward. It does not count as childminding if it is the home of one of the children being cared for, unless the care is for more than 2 different families at the same time.
  • The difference between a childminder and a nanny is that a nanny is employed by the family they’re working for, whereas a childminder is self-employed.
  • Childminders registered with OFSTED will receive local authority support, whilst nannies will not. See the Childminding UK website for further information.

Why become a childminder?

Have you considered a career in childminding? Here are 10 reasons why you should:

  • you can work from home
  • chance to be self-employed
  • minimal travel costs
  • flexible working hours
  • minimal start-up costs
  • send time with your own children
  • set your own fees
  • support children’s learning and development
  • regular support from local authority
  • opportunities to upskill and progress

There is an alternative way to run a childminding business by registering with a childminder agency. Childminder agencies (CMAs) are organisations that can register, and quality assure childminders as an alternative route to registering with Ofsted. You can find out more about Childminder agencies: list of agencies - GOV.UK

You can also download Ofsted's quick guide on how to register as a childminder.

If you decide to register with a childminding agency, please read 'The difference between registering with Ofsted or a childminder agency – Ofsted: early years' to understand the main differences between the 2 registration pathways.

Additional information about the role of childminder agencies can be found here: Childminder agencies - GOV.UK

Step by step guide to becoming an Ofsted registered childminder

1. Read the statuary framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage

View and familiarise yourself with the Early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders

  • learning and development requirements
  • assessment - safeguarding and welfare requirements

2. Do your market research childminding is a business, so you need to do your market research.

You should:

Ask yourself:

  • What services do you want to offer?
  • Do parents need the service you offer?
  • What are parents willing to pay for that service?
  • Are you able to work for that money?

3. Prepare for Registration

Before you can register as a childminder, you will need to have completed:

  • Paediatric First Aid (minimum 12 hours).
  • Safeguarding and child protection training
  • A Childminder Preparation Course
  • A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Health Declaration Booklet 

Childminders, and any assistants who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time, must hold a current paediatric first aid certificate. Providers can choose which organisation they wish to provide the training (preferably one with a nationally approved and accredited first aid qualification or one that is a member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme. It may also be helpful to refer to HSE’s guidance about choosing a first aid training provider.

St John Ambulance, British Red Cross or Tiger Lilly’s Paediatric First Aid course can be good places to look for a course or the local authority also arranges Paediatric First Aid courses that meet all of Ofsted requirements.

Safeguarding and child protection training
Safeguarding and child protection training must be completed by childminders. The training will include advice on safe practices, ensure you effectively manage risk, children, and parents/families you work with.

The following organisations offer safeguarding training to childminders: Safeguarding Children Training - Coram PACEY , Safeguarding Children & Designated Safeguarding Lead / Childminding UK

A Childminder Preparation Course
If you do not hold childcare qualifications, you will need to complete basic training on running a childminding service and delivering the EYFS, from a home-based setting.

You should complete one of the following OFSTED Recognised courses:

  • Childminding UK Introductory Training Course (CPD certified online training, contains 5 modules).
    This course covers all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) necessary for registration with Ofsted plus extra information that will help you build a high quality and sustainable childminding business. Suitable for those registering on the Early Years Register, or BOTH the Early Years and Childcare Registers.

OR

  • Pre-Registration Courses - Coram PACEY
    Attend the 'Preparing to work in Home-based Childcare HBCA' Level 3 Award course, by Coram PACEY. This is a level 3 CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) qualification. These are held each term. The course lasts 14 weeks and takes place one evening a week. It provides you with all the information and tools you need to become a childminder.

Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application form
A DBS check will need to be made for yourself and every member of your household aged 16 and over. If anyone in your household already holds a DBS check, it must be enhanced one. Once you have your application form reference number, you can register online for the DBS update service. Ofsted recommend that every DBS check is signed up to this.

All DBS applications must be completed through the OFSTED registration DBS website. The website provides guidance on how to apply for a criminal record check and assists with any related questions. Applicants must only use this service if they wish to apply for the childcare roles as set out in this guidance.

Health Declaration Booklet
Before registering with Ofsted, you will also need to complete a health declaration form and have it verified by your GP. You can access the form via Ofsted on Gov.uk.

  1. click on become a childminder
  2. scroll down to the section ‘what to do before you register’
  3. click Health Declaration Form
  4. part of the form must be completed and signed by you. You must then take the form to your doctor for them to complete the rest of the form
  5. you must provide a pre-paid envelope for the doctor to send the form directly to Ofsted

4. Register with OFSTED

What does registration involve?

All childcare is regulated by Ofsted
Ofsted ensures to:

• Visit you to register you as a Childminder

• Inspect your setting

• Interview you to assess your suitability to become a childminder. As listed in Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, September 2025, to be registered to care for children under 5 years, you must demonstrate to Ofsted that you understand and can deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

You can apply online to register as a childminder Sign in or start new application

5. What happens after registration

The inspector will visit a few weeks after they receive your application. They will check and confirm:

  • your premises, to ensure that they are safe and suitable for childminding
  • your understanding of the EYFS
  • that you are ready to begin caring for children
  • the number of children you may care for
  • any actions that you need to take before you can start childminding

6. Once you are registered

  • Your details as a registered childminder will be added to the Barnet website and database
  • All Ofsted registered childminders in Barnet are offered ongoing support from Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS) Early Years Standards Team. The Standards Teams supports childminders through help, advice and guidance, seeking to support them to provide a high quality service for children and their families
  • Various training sessions from the local authority and BELS, will be offered to childminders throughout the year
  • You will receive an annual quality assurance visit from the BELS Early Years Standards Team, to monitor standards within your setting and offer guidance on the early years learning and development
  • You will have an OFSTED inspection within 18 months and receive a grade
  • Please contact Monika Ali Chowdhury, Early Years Strategic Lead for PVIs and Childminders for more information