How to become a registered childminder
We are looking for committed people to become Bradford District Childminders. Begin your journey today.
Are you thinking of becoming a childminder?
You can access a free childminding information session and a guide to registering using the link below.
Book the free childminding session now
Watch our short film where some of our Bradford childminders share their childminding experiences.
Or watch the individual films:
What is a childminder?
There are two types of childminders: childminder (with domestic premises), and childminder without domestic premises.
Both types of childminders are self-employed and run their own business to look after other people’s children for reward. A childminder can care for up to six children under the age of eight at any one time, and they may also care for additional children over the age of eight (numbers above depend on whether the childminder has any of their own children, or children they have responsibility for).
Childminder (with domestic premises)
A childminder is a person who:
- receives payment for working in (domestic dwelling) this could be their own home, or someone else's home
- childminders can also work some of their time from approved non-domestic premises
- looks after at least one child for more than two hours in one day,
- can work with up to 3 other people at one time, (maximum of 4 people at any one time)
Childminder without domestic premises
Childminder without domestic premises become a new category of childminder from 1 November 2024.
Childminder without domestic premises:
- is a person who receives payment for working on non-domestic premises, such as a religious building; a school; an office building; or an outdoor area
- is not permitted to work from any domestic dwelling at any time, even during pick up and drop off times
- can work with up to 3 other people at one time, (maximum of 4 people at any one time)
- must check with the local authority for council tax rates for the premises
Who do I register with?
A childminder must register with Ofsted or a Childminding Agency to ensure they, and their chosen premises meets legal requirements.
1 - Ofsted
Ofsted are the Office for standards in education, children services and skills, it is their role to inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people. If you chose to register with Ofsted, Ofsted will register your setting and inspect you as a childminder.
2 - Childminding agency
A childminding agency is an organisation that can register and quality assure childminders, this is alternative to registering with Ofsted. If you choose to register with an agency, you will be registered and inspected by the agency. The childminding agency will be inspected and regulated by Ofsted. Visit Childminder agencies: list of agencies. The agency will charge you a fee for their service, the fee covers access to support and training.
Registration
A ‘childminder’ (with domestic premises), and a ‘childminder without domestic premises’ is very similar, it is the type of venue the childcare is delivered from that differs. Therefore, in this information, where is states childminder this refers to both a ‘childminder’ (with domestic premises), and ‘childminder without domestic premises’ unless specified otherwise.
Register to become a childminder
Before you register
Before you register there are some forms and certificates you have to complete.
Criminal records, Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (DBS)
For a ‘childminder’ (with domestic premises), anyone working, or living on the premises over the age of 16 must apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Check to ensure they do not have a criminal record or any other issues that may affect the care of the children.
For a ‘childminder without domestic premises’ everyone who will provide childcare on the non-domestic premises must apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Health declaration form signed by your GP
As part of your application you have to submit a health declaration form to Ofsted that your GP completes and signs.
Paediatric first aid certificate
You must have a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate in place by the time you have your registration visit. The certificate must be for a full course consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A PFA training of the Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
As part of your application to register you also need:
- the details of two referees
- your full employment history
Can I register?
In order to register you must:
- have the right to work in the UK
- be suitable to work with children
- be physically and mentally capable of caring for children
- have a completed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) application (for you and anyone age 16 or over who lives or works on the childminding premises)
you are disqualified from registration if:
- you’ve been convicted of a serious offence or are barred from working with children
- your children have ever been taken into care
- you’ve been refused registration before
- your registration has been cancelled for a reason other than not paying your annual fee
- you live with someone who is disqualified from registration - only applicable to childminder with domestic premises
Types of registers
There are two registers: Early Years Register and Childcare Register (which has a compulsory and voluntary part). Many childminders choose to register on both, but some choose to register on the Childcare register if they plan to only provide out of school care to children in year one and above. You can find more information on the gov.uk website.
What training is required?
Before registering you need to decide what age children you want to care for so you choose the correct register to be registered on, this will be either the Early Years Register or the Childcare Register.
If you plan on registering on the Early Years Register then you must:
- complete a paediatric first aid course – 12 hour
- demonstrate they have knowledge and understanding of the Early years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) including how to implement it, as part of your registration with Ofsted
- attend a child protection course that helps you to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity
- have sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in their care
There are a different set of registration requirements for the Childcare Register.
A childminder registered on the early years register must meet and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and:
- Offer a high quality inclusive education and care that meets the needs of all the children in your setting
- Create an ambitious curriculum that will help children build their learning over time, to include opportunities for playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically
- Offer a well-planned learning environment indoors and outside
- Work in partnership with parents to encourage children’s learning and development at home
English language skills
Childminders must have sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in their care.
For example, childminders must be able to:
- Keep records in English
- Liaise with other agencies in English
- Summon emergency help
- Understand instructions. For example, about the safety of medicines, or food hygiene
Is it possible to become a childminder without attending a training course, this could be due to my qualifications and experience?
Training is not a legal requirement for early years childminders as of 4 January 2024, however you must meet the criteria set out above and demonstrate it to your inspector as part of your registration visit.
More information about Ofsted can be found Childminders and childcare providers register with ofsted.
Does it cost to register?
There are a number of costs to consider, some are one off costs for registering as a childminder, there are also set up costs, as well as ongoing costs as a childminder. Some of these are for:
- DBS check(s)
- DBS Update Service
- Fee to join the Early Years Register and/or the Childcare Register
- GP fee for the health declaration form
- any courses you need to do to register (child protection, Early Years Foundation Stage, First Aid) and then training once registered, and ongoing
- equipment or materials you might need
- public liability insurance
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) registration
Watch the Childminding information session and registration for more information on costs.
How long does it take to register?
The process can take between six and twelve months from starting the process to registering as a childminder. You should aim to complete the registration process as soon as possible and within a year of accessing the pre-recorded information session and/or starting your training as a childminder to ensure that your knowledge and training is current.
Ofsted aims to register applicants within 12 weeks (a childminder without domestic premises Ofsted aim to visit the premises within 9 weeks, and a childminder within 10 weeks) but this time only starts once your application has been accepted. You need an enhanced DBS check for you and anyone linked to your application before you can apply.
Will I get support from Bradford Council?
If you choose to register with Ofsted and follow the Bradford Council’s training route by attending the training to register as a childminder (meeting the EYFS Welfare Requirements as a childminder), a named Early Education and Childcare Quality Officer will be allocated to you and can help guide you through Ofsted’s registration process.
If you choose to register with a childminding agency, you will access training and support from your chosen childminding agency.
Can I offer funded early education and childcare places?
The government funds early education and childcare hours for children before they take up a school reception place for;
- Funded childcare for two year olds
- Three and four year olds
- Working families with children from 9 months old
The number of hours and the scheme available to parents depends on their circumstances, but they will be eligible for 15 or 30 hours over a minimum of 38 weeks per year.
If you wish to offer funded entitlement places, Bradford Council will guide you through the Bradford Council application process once you have submitted your application to either Ofsted or your chosen Childminding Agency.
Bradford’s training to register as a childminder
If you choose to register with Ofsted, the Early Education and Childcare Quality Officers have created a package of training, ‘training to register as a childminder’ that can be tailored to meet your specific training needs. Each course has been written to give you the knowledge and confidence for you to answer the questions during your Ofsted registration visit, and they will also give you a good starting point for when you first start Childminding.
We highly recommend that you complete all five of the courses listed below, starting with no 1 – ‘Childminding information session, and guide to registering’ and aiming to do the first 4 before your Ofsted registration visit, but it is for you to decide what training you need when registering as a childminder.
- Childminding information session, and guide to registering
- Child protection course ‘safeguarding children in Bradford’
- Meeting the EYFS welfare requirements as a childminder Only applicable if you plan to register on the Early Years Register (to care for children for early years children from birth to five)
- Meeting the EYFS learning and development requirements as a childminder Only applicable if you plan to register on the Early Years Register (to care for children for early years children from birth to five)
- Setting up your childminding business
All five of the courses above are free e-learning courses, this means you can complete these at your own pace, free of charge.
How do I access these courses?
To access the courses detailed in this page, you need to request a login on the Skills 4 Bradford website.
Once you have requested a login by completing the ‘New Account Request’ you will be emailed a password. You will then be set up with your account and ready to book a place. If you have any problems, please email [email protected].
Are you considering becoming a childminder?
If you are considering registering as a childminder (with domestic premises), or a ‘childminder without domestic premises’, you can access a free Childminding information session and a guide to registering and for further information about Bradford’s training to register as a childminder please visit Are you interested in becoming a Childminder? on the Skills 4 Bradford website.
If you have general queries about becoming a registered childminder, please email [email protected].
