Childminders

Choosing Home based childcare

Choosing someone to look after your child when you return to work or training is one of the most important decisions you can make. Nearly 500,000 children are cared for by childminders and nannies, making home-based childcare the second most popular form of formal childcare in England and Wales.

Registered childminders work in their own homes, providing childcare for up to six children at any one time aged from birth to 8 years old. Many children stay with the same childminder for years – some well into secondary school.

Registered childminders are self-employed and inspected by Ofsted in England. All childminders take introductory training and most also hold a relevant qualification, such as a CACHE Level three Diploma in Home-based childcare. All childminders should have public liability insurance, health check, and an enhanced criminal records bureau (CRB) disclosure, and a valid first-aid certificate for people who work with children. This should be renewed every three years.

Benefits of using a childminder

They are registered with and regularly inspected by Ofsted
Your child can form a close one to one relationship with their carer
Siblings can be looked after together
They have had a medical check
They have their own public liability insurance
They have a valid first aid certificate
They can offer flexible hours
Your child will mix with children of different ages from other families
They care for small groups of children so they can take into account the individual needs of each child
Your child will be looked after in a home from home environment
Your child is cared for in their own commuity can easily take part in local clubs and activities