Becoming a childminder

If you're interested in becoming a childminder, we can give you free advice and guidance about: 

• Ofsted 
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 
• safeguarding 

This includes support before you’re registered and after your Ofsted inspection. 

As a Royal Greenwich independent childminder, you get: 

• free or low-cost webinars, workshops and training around your working hours about the EYFS, Ofsted Inspection framework and safeguarding 
• allocated an Early Years and Childcare Advisor 
• a dedicated email and telephone line for enquiries and advice 
• new premises and settings visits 
• information sessions to update you on local and national issues 
• networking opportunities through a peer forum with other childminders 
• information support packs including useful templates and monthly e-bulletins 
• local authority funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds without fee deduction 

Who can register as a childminder

You must register as a childminder if you look after children:  

• under the age of 8  
• for more than 2 hours a day  
• in your own home  
• get paid - including payment of any kind (any service or goods instead of cash) 

Registration with Ofsted can take up to 12 weeks.  

It's an offence to provide childcare if you are not registered or in an unapproved premises. This is unless you are a nanny working in the child's home. 

Check if you can register to be a childminder (GOV.UK)

There are two registers.  

Early Years Register

Join this register if you're caring for children from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday. 

You need to meet all EYFS requirements for: 

• safeguarding 
• welfare  
• learning and development 

Childcare Register

This register has two parts:  

• compulsory - if you care for children from 1 September after the child's fifth birthday until their eighth birthday  
• voluntary - if you're looking after children aged 8 and over, or choosing to register voluntarily (for example, if you're a nanny) 

How to meet Ofsted requirements

You must meet the requirements set out by Ofsted before your pre-registration visit.   

We can help you can meet these requirements by sending you a free briefing and support pack.   

If you decide you want to register, contact the Families Information Service to:  

• receive your briefing and support pack  
• be added to the list for training 
• talk through the criteria and get help with the process 

How to register

You must register as a childminder on GOV.UK. 

To register, you need: 

• an enhanced check with barred lists for home-based workers (GOV.UK) from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 
• a health declaration booklet (GOV.UK)  
• contact details for 2 references  
• a certificate of good character from an embassy if you’ve lived abroad in the past 5 years   
• approved and accredited paediatric first aid training 
• safeguarding and child protection training with Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership 
• childcare and EYFS training 

Before your Ofsted registration visit, you will need to have: 

• completed your paediatric first aid  
• completed your safeguarding training 
• a good knowledge of early years development 

Our Introduction to Childminding Practice covers these 3 topics and gives you everything you need to get started. 

Further information for childminders

• Statutory framework for the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (GOV.UK)  
• Development matters – non statutory guidance 
• Birth to 5 Matters 
• Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted (GOV.UK) 
• Early years inspection handbook for Ofsted-registered provision 
• Ofsted Enforcement Guidance (GOV.UK) 
• Education inspection framework (GOV.UK)
• Find out more about registering as a nanny (GOV.UK)

Contact Families Information Service

Telephone: 020 8921 6921 

Email: fis@royalgreenwich.gov.uk