Childminder
What is the work like?
Childminders work in their own homes looking after children whose parents are at work or studying. This could be throughout the day with babies and children under five, or after school and in the school holidays with older children.
As a childminder you would:
- make sure that the children in your care feel secure and are safe, warm and well-fed
- plan, prepare and serve meals
- change nappies and make up bottles for babies
- help children to develop by providing a range of play activities, both indoors and outside
- take children on outings, for example to the park or to toddler groups
- take older children to and from playgroup or school.
You would need to respect parents' wishes about their children's diet, routines and religion, and share information about the children with their parents.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any qualifications to become a childminder but you do need to be registered with Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) before you can look after children under the age of eight. You need to be aged at least 18.
Your first step to becoming registered is to contact your local Children’s Information Service (CIS) – for contact details see Childcare Link. Your CIS will tell you when there is a childminding pre-registration briefing in your area. You will then:
- attend the pre-registration briefing, where you will be told about becoming a childminder and receive an application pack
- complete the application and return it to your Ofsted regional centre
- have an Ofsted home inspection and an interview to make sure you are a suitable person to care for children
- have a medical check
- complete an introductory childminding training course and a first-aid course.
You will need clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau for yourself and anyone else in your home aged over 16.
Once you are registered you can start work as a childminder.
You could get help with the costs of setting up your childminding business by applying for a childminder start-up grant. The grants are administered by local authorities' Early Years teams. Contact Childcarelink for details of your local team.
You can get help and support on all aspects of childminding by joining the National Childminding Association (NCMA).
What further training and development can I do?
As a registered childminder you may be encouraged by your local authority to work towards a qualification such as:
- Level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare
- NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
You can study for the Diploma in Home-based Childcare by distance learning or through colleges and training providers. The Diploma will provide some of the background you need for the NVQ.
See the NCMA website for information on training.
Your local authority may give you the opportunity to:
- complete NCMA Quality First (a quality assurance scheme, which shows parents you are offering high standards of care)
- join an NCMA Children Come First quality-assured childminding network, which will give you the support of a network coordinator and other local childminders.
Where can I go for more information?
Royal Exchange BuildingsSt Ann's Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Tel: 0845 640 4045
Grosvenor Road
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3AW
Tel: 0845 347 2123
81 Tweedy Road
Bromley
Kent
BR1 1TG
Tel: 0845 880 0044
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Childminders set their own fees, which can be around £6 an hour.
Total earnings vary depending on the number of children cared for, and the number of hours worked.
Childminders need to make arrangements for paying their own tax and insurance, and meet costs such as providing meals and buying toys and equipment. A childminder start-up grant could help with this.
Figures intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would be able to set your own hours to some extent, but would need to fit in with the needs of parents. Some childminders offer a weekend and/or overnight service for parents who work shifts.
Depending on the size of your home, you could be registered to look after up to six children under eight years old (usually no more than three under five and only one under the age of one). This includes your own children.
Your home will be inspected to make sure it is safe and hygienic, and you may need to make some adaptations, such as fitting safety gates.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a love of children and commitment to providing high standards of care
- patience and a sense of humour
- flexibility
- good communication skills
- an awareness of health, safety and hygiene
- knowledge of child protection issues
- the ability to keep written records and make simple financial calculations.
What opportunities are there?
You will be self-employed, usually working in your own home. Some childminders are paid by the local authority, for example, to care for children who might otherwise be at risk of neglect or abuse.
With experience you could become a network coordinator, supporting other local childminders, or a tutor on childminding courses.
With relevant qualifications you can move into a related job such as a nursery nurse, playworker or teaching assistant. See the relevant profiles for details.
Search
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
