Guidance

Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing

This is a presentation of the pre-registration briefing for childminders.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 3 September 2014
• Last updated: 2 April 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 2 April 2026

     Documents updated to reflect the April 2026 change to inspection timescales for providers registered on the Early Years Register.

  2. 24 February 2026

     Updated formatting and content to reflect that the November 2024 childminder flexibilities are no longer described as "new".

  3. 6 February 2025

     Updated formatting and content to include information about new childminder flexibilities introduced by the Department for Education.

  4. 26 February 2024

     Removed the requirement for childminders to undertake training courses. Training is optional and no longer a legal requirement as of 4 January 2024.

  5. 14 November 2023

     Replaced PDF and PowerPoint files with versions that include guidance on reference and employment history requirements for childminder and childcare on domestic and non-domestic applicants.

  6. 16 November 2021

     Updated slide 45, 'How many children can I care for?'.

  7. 6 September 2021

     Updated slide 15, 'Certificates and forms' to include a completed paediatric first aid certificate.

  8. 12 January 2021

     Updated page 2 with a link to information on inspection arrangements.

  9. 6 July 2020

     Updated slides 29 and 42 following improvements to the online registration forms.

  10. 28 December 2018

      Added additional slide clarifying which types of DBS check Ofsted can accept when registering.

  11. 23 November 2018

      Updated presentation with information about our new pilot childminder registration service (see new slide 28) and minor changes to slides 15, 41 and 42.

  12. 31 May 2018

      Clarified slide 18 (training requirements).

  13. 9 January 2018

      Updated presentation text and format throughout for readability (no policy changes).

  14. 6 October 2017

      Change to slide 19: Ofsted strongly recommends signing up to the DBS update service, but this is no longer mandatory.

  15. 2 October 2015

      Updated for use from October 2015.

  16. 3 September 2014

      First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Pre-registration briefing for those wishing to become childminders

MS PowerPoint Presentation, 6.48 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Pre-registration briefing for those wishing to become childminders

PDF, 2.8 MB, 41 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Local authorities can use this briefing for people who are interested in becoming childminders.

The document is available in PowerPoint and PDF.