What is a Registered Childminder?

A childminder is a person who is registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) to care for children in their own home. Childminders are self-employed and provide full or part time care, this might be day care, before/after school, and/or holiday care and overnight care (a childminder must have permission from Ofsted for overnight care). Childminders are often prepared to take and collect your child from pre-school, nursery or school.

Plus points

• Can offer a flexible childcare service.

• Your child will be in a home environment.

• Using a childminder ensures a consistency of care because the childminder is the only carer.

• If you have children of different ages, a childminder may be able to care for them all together.

• Your child may be able to access free nursery education if the childminder is part of an accredited childminding network.

Childcare and the Law

All childminders must be registered with and inspected by Ofsted and their registration certificate must be prominently displayed. You can view a childminder’s Ofsted report at www.ofsted.gov.uk/childcare, within the UK. Registered Childminding may differ in other countries.

 In the UK, you will need toask the childminder for their Ofsted Unique Reference Number (URN) to view their report on the website, alternatively you can ask the childminder if you can look at their copy. The childminder and any other adults in their home are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check. Ofsted registration requirements will specify the number of children that are allowed to be on the premises at any time and the ratio of staff to children. A childminder is allowed to look after up to six children under eight years old including children of their own - but only three of them should be aged under five, of these three, only one may be under 12 months. Under exceptional circumstances a childminder may be allowed to care for two children under 12 months, for example caring for twins.