Becoming a childminder and running your business
Find out how to register with Ofsted as a childminder, and what you will need to tell us about.
This guidance is for Ofsted-registered childminders or those applying to register with Ofsted. For guidance on registering with a childminder agency, or what you need to do if you are already with an agency, contact the agency directly.
Start working as a childminder
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.
Running a childminder business
As an Ofsted-registered childminder, you must report to Ofsted any significant events affecting your childcare within 14 days.
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 Childcare Register you must meet either or both of the voluntary or compulsory Childcare Register requirements, depending on your registration.
If you are registered on both registers, you will need to meet each set of requirements.
Inspections
Changes to your childminder business
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.
Making payments to Ofsted
If you are registered with Ofsted you will need to pay an annual registration fee.