Becoming a registered childminder in Hampshire

• Job satisfaction that comes with having a positive impact on the learning and development of young children
• Working for yourself alongside meeting the needs of your family commitments
• Flexibility - you can set your own working hours and decide how many children you look after
• You are your own boss and can set your own rates of pay
• Professional status with the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and develop skills as part of continued professional development
• Sustainability – offering Early Years Education funded places to eligible children
• No commuting to work costs

You can choose to become a childminder either by registering with Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) or with a registered Childminding Agency. The registration process can take between three and six months.

To find out about the Ofsted registration process for childminders see the Ofsted pre-registration briefing for those wishing to become childminders presentation and sign up to the dedicated Ofsted Childcare Registration Facebook page.

Before you apply to Ofsted to register as a childminder, you need to consider the requirements for childminders registered on the compulsory register and to provide a quality service.

There are now more options of where childminders can work and the number of people they can work with. See the Ofsted film for further details.

• First Aid - before registering with Ofsted you must hold a suitable Paediatric First Aid qualification, as stated in EYFS framework (page 22, section 3.25). If you employ childminding assistants who may be in sole charge, they must also meet this requirement. There are a number of course providers including the Early Years Alliance (in partnership with St John Ambulance)
• Safeguarding – as the lead practitioner you must attend a child protection course that enables you to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect. The course content must meet the requirements as stated in the EYFS framework (page 22, section 3.6). For further information, refer to the Hampshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (LSCP) training programme.
• Basic child protection/safeguarding online learning courses are also available from the National Day Nurseries Association
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - before submitting an application to Ofsted you must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This applies to everyone who lives or works in the premises. You may also want to join the DBS update service to maintain a valid check. It is also important to update Ofsted if you have people living (or working, e.g., weekly cleaner) aged 16 or over in your house when you are looking after children
• You need to complete and submit a health declaration form
• You must hold a current Public Liability insurance policy before working with children
• … You may also want to consider undertaking a Level 2 or 3 Childcare Course. There are many colleges and training companies delivering face to face and online courses, either paid for or free. For example, Free courses for jobs (Level 3) or PACEY.

• Register to become a childminder with Ofsted using the online application form, or contact a Childminding Agency (CMA) using the published Childminder agencies: list of agencies to see if they meet your needs.
• You will receive a registration visit in your home to check whether it is suitable, safe and ready to take children. When you receive your registration certificate your childminding career can begin.
• As a newly registered childminder you may also like to access the Services for Young Children Moodle platform, which has lots of information and support for early years settings, including a New Childcare Providers tile to help you set up your business.

Offering Early Years Education (EYE) funding in your setting is a business decision, it ensures that your families can access the funded place when the child becomes eligible without having to move to another early year’s provider to do so.

To provide Early Years Education services in Hampshire and receive the associated funding, childcare providers need to be:

• registered with Ofsted or a CMA, and
• approved by Services for Young Children (SfYC) on behalf of Hampshire County Council.

To become approved to offer the Early Years Education (EYE) funding new childminders must complete the online application process. For more information about Early Years Education Funding and to start your journey select the FISH, Moodle and EYE registration tile.

• Become a childminder or nanny (England)
• Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted guidance
• Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
• Childminding UK
• Search for childminders in your area
• Childminder agencies
• HMRC Setting yourself up as a self-employed business
• Contact Services for Young Children