Becoming a Registered Childminder in Sheffield

Childminding can be a very rewarding career. As a childminder, you play a crucial role in a child's early development, providing a safe and nurturing environment while supporting their learning and growth. Registered childminders are childcare professionals who often work in their own homes providing a safe and stimulating environment for other people’s children for more than two hours a day for reward. Childminders are self-employed, run their own business and provide a service to the families they care for. They may offer before and after school and holiday care as well as full day care. Childminders often offer drop off and pick up services to playgroups, nurseries and schools.

How to register as a childminder: childminders, childminders on domestic premises and childminders without domestic premises

A childminder is a person who receives payment for working in a domestic dwelling. They look after at least one child for more than two hours a day. Childminders can also work some of their time from approved non-domestic premises if they choose to do so.

A childminder without domestic premises is a person who receives payment for working on non-domestic premises, such as a church hall. They are not permitted to work from any domestic dwelling at any time.

You can follow the links on this page to give you more information to register as a childminder with Ofsted and to find out more on the recent childminder flexibilities.

Become a childminder or nanny (England): Register as a childminder - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Early years and childcare registration - GOV.UK

Early years: regulation - GOV.UK

Ofsted inspections of early years and childcare providers - GOV.UK

EYFS statutory framework for childminders

You will need:

• an enhanced check with barred lists for home based workers from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• first aid training for the age group you will look after
• a health declaration booklet
• contact details for 2 references
• a certificate of good character from an embassy - if you’ve lived abroad in the past 5 years
• you must have the right to work in the UK

Ofsted will reject your application if you do not have the correct documents.

Or you can choose to register with a childminder agency instead. See:

·       childminder agencies’ contact information and Ofsted reports

Most childcare providers looking after children under the age of 8 must register with Ofsted (or a childminder agency).  However, there are some exemptions when you do not have to register with Ofsted.  Registration exemptions - GOV.UK

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2023) EYFS statutory framework for childminders (publishing.service.gov.uk) sets out the requirements for childminder training if you are planning to join the Early Years register.

You must complete a Paediatric First Aid training course.  You are responsible for identifying and selecting a competent training provider to deliver this course.  Those who work under the following bodies are fully regulated: member of a trade body with an approval and monitoring scheme, the Voluntary Aid Societies and those who work under Ofqual Awarding organisations.  It may also be helpful to refer to HSE’s guidance about choosing a first aid training provider Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers It must meet the criteria set out in the EYFS, annex A. EYFS statutory framework for childminders (publishing.service.gov.uk)

It is an EYFS requirement that registered childminders must attend child protection training that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible neglect. It is the childminder’s responsibility to make sure that they access suitable training from an appropriate training source. In Sheffield, further information can be found at Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership - E-learning (safeguardingsheffieldchildren.org) Childminders should also read Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners - GOV.UK

To look after children in the early years foundation stage, you need to show an inspector that you understand and can follow the EYFS.  You need to demonstrate that you understand and can implement the EYFS requirements.  Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing - GOV.UK

In addition to your registration costs, you will need to consider, for example: Public liability insurance, buildings insurance, additional security/safety, business use of your car and registering with the Information Commissioner’s Office etc. Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

If you are planning to start up a childminder business that provides food as part of your childminding service, you do not need to register separately as a food business with your local authority. This will happen automatically when you register with Ofsted. This is part of the government’s commitment to reduce the burden on business. You will need to download a ‘Safer food, better business for childminders pack from the Food Standards Agency Safer food, better business for childminders | Food Standards Agency

Ofsted and local authorities are working closely together to improve the quality of all settings to improve outcomes for children and their families. In Sheffield our available resources are being targeted towards those settings who are newly registered, received an Ofsted Inadequate or Requires Improvement inspection outcome and/or where there may have been complaints or safeguarding issues. However, we ensure that you receive regular information, updates and training opportunities.

It is important that you register and regularly update your childcare business details on the Sheffield Directory. This is an online facility and the only directory in Sheffield where you will find the full picture of Ofsted registered childcare in the city. Childcare | Sheffield (sheffielddirectory.org.uk). When parents, carers or professionals are searching for Ofsted registered childcare information, family support information or leisure activities in Sheffield they are signposted to the Sheffield Directory.

Funded Early Learning (FEL) is funding paid to eligible early years providers by the Local Authority for delivering FEL sessions. You must be registered with Ofsted (or a Childminding Agency) before you are eligible to offer FEL and you will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions set out in the Code of Practice for Providers of Funded Early Learning (sheffield.gov.uk)

Early years provision by a childminder (either independently registered with Ofsted or registered with a childminder agency) for a related child does not count as childcare in legal terms. “Childcare”, as defined in section 18 of the 2006 Act, specifically excludes care provided for a child by a parent, step-parent, foster parent (or other relative) or by a person who fosters the child privately or has parental responsibility for the child.

If you are interested in becoming a Funded Early Learning (FEL) Provider (once you are registered), please contact the Education and Childcare Commissioning Team -EducationandChildcarecommissioning@sheffield.gov.uk