Becoming a childminder and running your business
Find guidance, forms and policies for registering with Ofsted as a childminder.
This page is for childminders registered with Ofsted, or applying to register. If you’re with a childminder agency, or want to register with one, contact the agency directly.
Apply to register
If you want to look after other people’s children in your home or someone else’s home, you must register either with Ofsted or a childminder agency.
You’ll need to register with Ofsted as one of these types of provider:
- Childminder based at home (‘childminder with domestic premises’ ) – up to 4 people (including you) looking after children, partly or always in someone’s home.
- Childminder based outside the home (‘childminder without domestic premises’) – up to 4 people (including you) looking after children somewhere that is not someone’s home.
Who else needs to apply
Certain other people involved in providing childcare must also apply to Ofsted as part of your application.
What Ofsted needs to process a registration
What you need to give Ofsted when you apply, and who in your business must register.
How Ofsted checks and registers providers
How Ofsted checks and registers childminders.
Registration requirements
If you are registered on the Early Years register, you must meet the early years foundation stage framework standards.
If you are registered on the General Childcare Register, you must meet either or both of the voluntary or compulsory General Childcare Register requirements, depending on your registration.
If you are registered on both registers, you will need to meet each set of requirements.
Telling Ofsted about changes to your application
If you are registered with Ofsted, you must tell Ofsted within 14 days about new people aged 16 or over who:
- live in the home where you look after children
- work in the home where you look after children
This includes children who turn 16.
You must also tell Ofsted within 14 days about anyone aged 16 or over who leaves the home where you look after children.
If you are a childminder without domestic premises, you must tell Ofsted about new people aged 16 or over who help provide care on the non-domestic premises.
After registration: telling Ofsted about changes
You must tell Ofsted about certain changes after you’ve registered. These include if you:
- change your name, personal address or telephone number
- change your registered address and any contact details
- change the childcare you provide (for example, if you change the days or hours when you look after children)
- stop working as a childminder
Ofsted
enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
The requirements for your registration include a full list of the changes you need to tell Ofsted about.
If you’re a childminder based outside the home and you change the address of your childcare premises, you must submit a new application form.
Telling Ofsted about significant events and serious incidents
As an Ofsted-registered childminder, you must report to Ofsted any significant events affecting your childcare within 14 days.
Making payments to Ofsted
If you are registered with Ofsted you will need to pay an annual registration fee.