How to become a childminder: everything you need to know

Looking after children is one of the most important responsibilities that a job can demand. A career in childminding is also one of the best ways to make money from home, enabling you to work in a profession that is both rewarding and fun at the same time. It also offers flexibility for part-time work, which many find appealing.

If you decide that a career in childcare is for you, there’s a number of steps to take before you can become a professional in the field.

In the UK, there are some 38,000 registered childminders; a figure that has decreased in recent years. Because of this, demand is higher than ever, with parents going to great lengths to find a childminder online. If you’re considering a career in the childcare industry, there has never been a better time to join. Here’s a concise guide to all the essentials you need to know…

What does a childminder do?

Before committing to a career in childminding, it’s best to be clear about the role. The legal definition of a childminder in England is: “A person who receives payment for working in their own home, looking after at least one child for more than two hours a day.”

A childminder typically tends to look after children in the early years – i.e. five years old and younger, however, a childminder can look after children up to 8 years of age. To say it’s a babysitting job does a great disservice to the profession. There’s a number of curriculum standards that must be upheld, along with providing a nutritional diet, and ongoing training in accordance with early years foundation stages.

Essential childminder skills

A passion for childcare

First and foremost you will need to have patience and good communication skills, as well as an interest in children. Whilst childminding is a great way to make money, most people enter the profession due to their passion for children.

Good organisation

A childminder needs to be able to manage childcare alongside the administration side of running a childcare business. Keep in mind that running your own business will mean declaring your income to HMRC as well as paperwork to manage insurance, Government childcare financial aid schemes, and general communications with parents.

Safe property to look after children

A flat or house with plenty of space is essential for a childminder- even better if you have a garden. If you rent your property, you will need permission from your landlord in order to set up your own business from their premises.

Patience and teaching skills

Childminding is not solely keeping an eye on children whilst the parents are at work. It requires skills in teaching young people essential first life skills, development, and manners.

Culinary skills

Basic cooking and culinary skills are essential to provide nutritious meals for children.

Following an Early Years Curriculum

One of the key principles of a childminder job is adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which sets standards for the learning and development of children between 0-5 years old. The Government publishes an annual handbook to support EYFS practitioners. The childminder will have to create a curriculum for their children and take responsibility for the children’s learning experience. This is required for looking after children under the age of five and ensures:

Age-appropriate learning and development.
Early learning goals and assessment of child’s starting points and progress.
Safeguarding, child protection, and health and safety

Requirements and qualifications

In order to be a professional childminder, you must be aged 18 years or older. You will need premises or a home, where you are able to safely look after children – a garden isn’t essential, but it certainly helps. Parents will often give preference to childminders who are near train stations and local schools as it helps with drop-offs. The property and your business will both need to have appropriate insurance too.

In terms of education, you will need a childcare qualification which is approved by your local council. Get in contact with your local council to find out the available courses in your area. In addition to this, you must have undertaken a paediatric first aid course as well as training in safeguarding children. You should also consider training in food hygiene, this is important when you’re catering to young children.

Ofsted Registration

Ofsted ensures the welfare of children is prioritised and ensures that the highest standard of education and care is maintained. To be a childminder, you must have registered. Without registration, you could face a hefty fine. In England, childminders are Ofsted registered, in Wales it’s with CIW and in Scotland, it’s Care Inspectorate. This standard means that professionals uphold a certain level of skill, education, and competency in order to look after children. Skills must be kept up to date with regular training.

As part of the registration and enrolment, you will be required to; provide two references, undertake a DBS check for you and everyone over 16 in your household, will need a health declaration form from your GP, and a copy of your First Aid training certificate and childcare training (EYFS). Usually, you could expect to wait for up to 12 weeks to hear back from your application. To find more about how to register with Ofsted, have a look at our Ofsted Registration A-Z Guide. Once you apply to be a childminder, an inspector will come to assess your home environment and application.

Once registered, Ofsted registered childminders are noted on Ofsted’s database and it is a legal requirement to keep these details up to date.

How many children can I care for?

In accordance with the law, qualified childminders can care for up to six children under the age of eight, depending on space available. However, no more than three of these children can be under the age of five years old, and only one can be under the age of one-year-old at any given time. These numbers include your own children.

There is some exception to the rations if you can show all the children’s needs are met, but the number of children you can look after is not negotiable unless supplementary help is brought in, for example, an assistant childminder. In order to manage childcare effectively, childminders are not allowed to look after children above the age of eight.

Paperwork

Alongside paperwork for registering with Ofsted and Public Liability Insurance, you will also need to make a Business insurance policy for parents which parents will need to sign before taking care of their children. This includes safety, a risk assessment should there be an emergency and general information parents and you should be mutually aware of, for example, an allergy. Often insurance companies will provide templates to help you make this.

Salary Expectations

Although childcare is one of the best ways to make money from home, most people enter the profession out of a personal passion for children.

How much you earn depends on whether it’s a full time or part-time job, how many children you look after, and your location. A childminder in London can expect to earn more. However, the average childminder salary is £18,049 in the UK. The average hourly rate is between £3-£6 per child, and childminders are traditionally known for being a low-cost and flexible childcare option. Keep in mind that a portion of these costs will go towards business costs and essential items such as nappies, food, etc. You will have to decide and discuss with parents which amenities you will provide.

Regarding payment, most parents will set up a direct debit for payment. If you chose to become registered for tax-free childcare, you will receive payment through your local council.

Decided to take on a new adventure and become a childminder? Yoopies is a completely free service for childminders and allows you to advertise your childminding business, as well as browse hundreds of families looking for childcare.

Getting references

If you are just starting your career in childminding, parents may ask for references from previous employers. If you have worked in the childcare sector before, acquiring a relevant reference is relatively easy. But what do you do if you have little or no experience?

When it comes to acquiring a reference, it doesn’t matter if you are new to childcare. It is more than likely that you can transfer some of the skills learned at your previous job into childminding. Don’t hesitate to approach your old employer via email or phone and ask for a reference. If this is your first job, not to worry, you could ask close friends to highlight your skills.

When acquiring a reference, a good reference will highlight the following:

1) Skills: What are your main skills? Have you got a special skill?
2) Work highlights: Have you achieved something that’s worth making reference to?
3) Work ethic: Are you motivated? Are you positive? Are you organised? Are you punctual?
4) Why would you be a good childminder?

A reference should be at a maximum a few lines long.

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