A childminder is a childcare professional registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency who provides paid childcare for children under 8 years old from domestic or non-domestic premises.
A childminder may employ assistants. With parents' written permission, assistants may be left in sole charge of children for up to two hours in any one day.
Registering as a childminder
You can choose to register:
- Directly with Ofsted
- Through a childminder agency
Find out more on the government's Become a childminder or nanny (England) page.
Nannies and home childcarers
Nannies, also known as home childcarers, care for children of any age in the child's own home.
Further guidance is available on the government's Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted page.
Childcare on domestic premises
If three or more adults work together at the same time caring for children in a home setting, you may need to register as a provider of childcare on domestic premises.
You can register either:
- With Ofsted as a provider of childcare on domestic premises, or
- Through a childminder agency
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.
Childminders working from non-domestic premises
A childminder without domestic premises works entirely from a non-domestic setting, such as a village hall or community building.
Under this registration type, childcare cannot be provided from any home address.
Find out more from the following government pages:
Registering with a childminder agency
A childminder agency (CMA) is an organisation registered with Ofsted that can register, support and quality assure childminders.
If you want to register through a CMA, contact an approved agency to discuss the process and receive advice.
Ofsted inspection reports
If a childminder is registered with Ofsted, you can view their latest inspection report on the Ofsted reports website using their Ofsted Unique Reference Number (URN), which the childminder can provide.
Childminders registered with a childminder agency do not have individual Ofsted inspection reports. Instead, the agency carries out quality assurance checks and holds the reports. You can request information directly from the agency.
Running your business
You may need to seek advice or register with other organisations, including:
- Fire safety services
- Planning services
- Building control
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Planning permission
If more than six people will be present in your property while operating your childminding business, you should seek planning advice to determine whether a change of use application is required.
Registering as self-employed
You must register as self-employed with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within three months of starting work.
Further guidance is available from PACEY's business resources.
Additional information related to Ofsted
- Become a childminder or nanny (England) - GOV.UK
- Health declaration forms for childminders and people who work in childcare or children's social care - GOV.UK
- Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted - Registration exemptions - GOV.UK
- Childminders: report new people in the setting - GOV.UK
- How to set up your home for childminding - Koru Kids
- DBS checks for childminders and childcare workers - GOV.UK
- How to appeal: guidance for childcare providers - GOV.UK
- The Ofsted registers - GOV.UK
- Report a serious childcare incident - GOV.UK
Additional business information
- Business fire safety - Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
- Dogs and children: living safely together - Dogs Trust
Childcare funding information
- Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK
- Help paying for childcare: Find out what 'approved childcare' is - GOV.UK
- Set up a business - GOV.UK
- Free Childcare for Working Parents - GOV.UK
Further advice
For pre-registration advice and further information, email earlyyears@herefordshire.gov.uk