Ofsted Registration: An A-Z Guide For Childminders

So you’ve decided to pursue your passion for looking after children and want to become an Ofsted registered childminder!

Here at Yoopies, we understand that the nitty-gritty details of pursuing a career in childminding, such as Ofsted registration, can seem both daunting and time-consuming. Nevertheless, being Ofsted registered is incredibly useful for boosting your childminding business. Ofsted registration status reassures parents that you have completed checks, essential training, and allows eligible parents to claim childcare benefits. As a result, your childcare business will be more attractive to a wider number of families!

To get you started, we’ve put together a concise guide for all the essentials you need to know when registering with Ofsted to get your childcare business up and running effortlessly!

1) Which Ofsted register should I apply for?

First things first, if you are looking after children under the age of 8 for more than two hours a day in your own home, you must register with Ofsted.

Ofsted holds two types of register: the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.

Many childminders choose to be on both registers so that they can offer a wide range of age-group options for parents. If you are registered on the Early Years Register, you can join the Childcare Register for free, however, this only works in one direction! If you are registered on the Childcare Register and decide to join the Early Years Register, you will need to apply separately and pay a fee.

It is optional to register if you:

Look after children in someone else’s home (as a nanny)
Only look after children over the age of 8 in someone else’s home
Look after a friend’s children for free (or paid, for up to 3 hours maximum per day)
Are a tutor or provide home education for a child aged over 3-years-old (however, you can’t look after children under 5 for over 4 hours)
Look after a child between 6 pm and 2 am (for example one-off babysitting)

2) What are the rules of registration?

Ofsted has a number of registration rules set in place to ensure that children in the UK receive a high standard of education and safety. You are unable to register if you:

Are the child’s parent, foster parent or relative
Run a school providing education or care for children over the age of 2
Run a children’s home, care home, hospital, residential family centre, secure training centre or young offenders institution
You or anyone you live with is barred from working with children or have committed a serious offence
You have been refused registration in the past
Your children are or have been in care
Are a local authority foster carer

It is also worth bearing in mind that if you live in a rental property, you will need to check your lease contract to see whether you can run a childcare business. To run a childcare business, you may require your landlord’s permission in writing.

3) What documents do I need to register?

To carry out your Ofsted registration journey, you will need to have proof of certain documents to show your suitability as a child care provider. It would be beneficial to start gathering together the required documents as soon as you can, as some documents may take some time to process.

The documents required are:

Enhanced DBS (criminal record) check for yourself and a separate application for everyone living or working in your home over the age of 16. You will also need to fill in details about their health when registering. This needs to be renewed annually.
Health declaration booklet signed by your GP to show you are physically and mentally suitable to take care of children.
Paediatric First-Aid course (12-hour course). This can be done through Tiger Lilly or St John’s Ambulance amongst many more.
Childcare training. If you’re applying to the Early Years Register, you will need an introductory childminding course approved by your local council. This course must cover the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. You can talk to your local council to find out the courses that are available and accepted in your local area. If you are looking after children over five years of age, and are therefore registering on the Childcare Register, you must have training in either EYFS or Common Core Skills. You can talk to your local council to find courses that are available and accepted in your local area.
2 References (from a reliable and trustworthy individual such as an employer, neighbour or friend who have known you for at least one year. You cannot use your family members as a reference)
Public Liability Insurance which will cover you for incidents in connection with your business activities. (Not needed for registration stage, but a legal requirement upon receiving your Ofsted certificate)
undefined. Companies such as Morton Michel are popular.

4) How do I apply for an Enhanced DBS check through Ofsted?

The criminal record check is comprised of 2 sections:

Identity Checking Form
DBS Check

Step 1: Download an Identity Checking Form:

The Identity Checking Form is proof from a Responsible Person that you are who you say you are. The form can be found here. If you do not have access to a Responsible Person, your identity can be verified by your local post office.

Step 1: Payment and submission of your online DBS application:
To start in your DBS application, you will need to fill in a ‘Capita Organisation Reference.’ For new childminders your code is: “OFSTEDP.” If you are already on the register and require another DBS check, your code is “OFSTEDA”. Make sure to leave the ‘Organisation Code’ section blank.

When filling out your form, make sure to select ‘Enhanced DBS Check’ and select that you are ‘Home Childcarer’ for the ‘Child Workforce.’ Once you’ve filled out the form, you will be provided with a reference number to put on your Identity Checking Form.

Step 2: Have your identity verified as part of your application:

Your chosen Responsible Person or the post office will need to fill out your Identity Checking Form. Once complete, you need to either email a scan of it or return it via post. Relevant sending bodies are indicated on the form. The Identity Checking Form needs to be submitted within a month of submitting your DBS application to avoid charges or delays.

Step 3: Email Confirmation

When your Identity Checking Form has been processed by DBS, you will receive an email with a tracking code. This code is also used to apply for the annual DBS Update Service- which we recommend you do!

Step 4: Arrival of your DBS Certificate!

Keep this safe, it can be asked by employers on request.

5) How much will registration cost me?

There is no fixed price to become Ofsted registered. Factors such as your chosen training provider, your insurance provider and the number of people in your home will affect your incurred costs. As a general figure, Ofsted registration will cost between £300-£800.

Joining both the Early Years Register and Childcare Register: £35 (paid annually)
Joining the Childcare Register only: £103 (paid annually)
Paediatric First-Aid course: £70-£100 (valid for three years)
Enhanced DBS check: £40 per person in your household. You can opt in to pay an optional £13 for an annual DBS renewal. You must sign-up to this service within one month of receiving your registration. (Paid annually)
Health declaration booklet: £90 (paid once)
Childcare training: £50-£200 (paid once)
Public Liability Insurance: £25-£100 (paid annually)

6) How long will it take to receive my Ofsted registration?

Generally, Ofsted registration takes up to 12 weeks, which is why it is preferable to start getting your documents together and complete your training ahead of time.

7) Will Ofsted visit me before I receive my registration?

If you have registered on the Early Years Register, an Ofsted inspector will come to your home to check that the documents you have provided are correct and your understanding of the EYFS. The inspector will also check that you speak English to a good enough standard to teach children and the suitability of your home for young children.

At the end of the visit, the Inspector will let you know whether you are ‘suitable’ or ‘unsuitable’ to be registered and Ofsted will send you a ‘certificate of registration’ or a ‘notice of intention’ (refusing your registration.)

8) Ready to go?

Once you’re a registered childminder and are looking for children to look after, check out Yoopies! 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. Your registration number will appear on your profile, boosting your attractiveness as a trusted childcare provider!

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