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Support for early years providers

Becoming a childminder

A childminder is someone who is registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency to provide paid childcare from domestic or non-domestic premises for children under 8 years old.

A childminder may employ assistants who can be left alone with the children for no more than 2 hours a day (with parental permission).

To view an Ofsted registered childminder's inspection report, ask the childminder for their Ofsted Unique Reference Number (URN), go to the Ofsted reports search page and enter the URN to find their latest inspection report.

Childminders registered through a childminder agency do not have individual inspection reports published by Ofsted. Instead, the agency carries out quality assurance checks on its registered childminders, and the quality assurance reports are held by the agency. You can request these reports directly from the childminder agency to review their standards and performance.

For a detailed guide on the appropriate Ofsted registration process go to Become a childminder or nanny (England) - GOV.UK.

For a detailed guide on how to register with a childminder agency go to Childminder agencies - GOV.UK.

Nannies and home child carers

Nannies are also known as home child carers and look after children of any age in the child's own home.

For further guidance refer to: Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted.

Childminder and other adults working together on domestic premises

You will need to register as a daycare organisation if you are working with three or more adults at the same time and the children are looked after in someone's home, either your home or someone else's. This is known as providing childcare on domestic premises.

You can either apply to register with Ofsted as a provider of childcare on domestic premises, or you can register with a childminder agency instead.

For further guidance refer to the government's Childcare on domestic premises page and the Apply to register your nursery or other daycare organisation page.

Childminder and other adults working together on a 'non-domestic' premises

A 'childminder without domestic premises' is a childminder who works solely from somewhere other than a home, like a community or village hall. Childminders without domestic premises cannot work from their or anyone else's home at any time under this type of registration.

Find out more:

How to register with Ofsted as a childminder, and what you will need to tell them

Find out more:

Registering with a childminder agency

In the UK, a childminder agency (CMA) is an organisation that is registered with Ofsted and has the authority to register, support, and inspect childminders. This is an alternative to registering directly with Ofsted.

To register with a CMA, you must first contact an approved agency to discuss your needs and receive guidance.

Find a childminder agency.

Requirements for running a business

You may also need to contact the following agencies to see if you will be able to meet other requirements that may apply once you are running your business:

As a registered childminder you must register as self-employed with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within three months of starting work.

For further guidance on running a business you can refer to Hempsalls Business Support Toolkit and PACEY Business Smart.

Additional information related to Ofsted

Additional information related to starting a business

Additional information related to funding

Further advice

For pre-registration advice and any further queries, please email earlyyears@herefordshire.gov.uk