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Becoming a Registered Childminder in Southwark

Becoming a Registered Childminder

 

Anyone who looks after one or more children under the age of eight years, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises, for reward, and for a total of more than two hours in any day must register as a childminder with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

A rewarding career

If you enjoy being with children and have a genuine interest in their play, learning, and development, can work in partnership with parents and other agencies, and run a business from your own home, then becoming a registered childminder could be a rewarding career for you.

As a registered childminder you will be required to:

  • Offer the children you care for a safe, secure, and stimulating play and learning environment.
  • Provide early years education and make appropriate observations, assessment, and planning for the children as they develop.
  • Remain compliant with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2021).

 

A registered childminder looks after one or more children under the age of eight years for more than a total of two hours a day on domestic premises (normally a childminder's own home) for reward and:

  • Is registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) demonstrating their understanding and delivery of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE, 2021).
  • Is self employed, runs their own business, and provides a service to the families whose children they care for.

 

Becoming registered

You must register with Ofsted on either or both of their following registers before you can legally work as a childminder.

These are:

  • The Early Years Register, for childminders caring for children from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday. These childminders will have to show that they meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • The compulsory part of the Ofsted Childcare Register, for childminders caring for children from 1 September following their fifth birthday up to and including the age of seven years.

The vast majority of childminders in Southwark are registered on both registers, giving them the opportunity to care for children of all ages.

 

Can you register?

To register as a childminder, you must ensure that you:

  • Have the right to work in the UK
  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Are allowed to work with children ‐ you’ll need to have a *Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check beforehand, along with everyone else you live or who is a regular visitor to your home aged over 16 years.
  • Are physically and mentally capable of caring for children. Your doctor will have to sign a health declaration booklet to confirm this.

 

* Ofsted requires all childminders to undergo the DBS checks (formally CRB checks) which include checks on themselves and any other adults aged 16 or older living in the home which you are also required to pay for; this is approximately £50 per person.

Before you apply:

To support your understanding of the registration process, the requirements of the EYFS and what you can expect once you are registered as a childminder in Southwark, you should first attend Southwark’s Childminding Pre‐Registration Briefing Session

For details of the next available session, and to reserve your place, please contact the admin team on:

Tele: 0207 525 7776 or email: ehsadmin@southwark.gov.uk

At the pre‐registration briefing session staff will also explain in detail the Southwark Pre‐registration childminding support package in becoming a registered childminder which includes completing the local authority approved Pre‐registration childminding EYFS training course.

This seven day training course includes:

Day 1: EYFS The role of the childminder in supporting children's play and learning

Day 2: Observation, Assessment, and Planning

Day 3: EYFS Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements

Day 4: Safeguarding: Child Protection

Day 5: Childminding is Your Business

Days 6 & 7: Paediatric First Aid (12 hours over 2 days)

As well as the training course, part of the support package also includes a Home Support Visit or a Zoom call to discuss next steps from an Early Years Quality Improvement Officer. The support visit is available after you have completed your course to check your understanding of the EYFS requirements and support you with your online application to Ofsted.

 

There is a non‐refundable charge of £250.00 for this support package. Details of accessing this support and the payment process are given at the Pre‐registration information session.

Please note it is a requirement of Ofsted registration that EVERYONE who applies to become a childminder has completed a childminder training course designed to enable them to meet the EYFS learning and development and welfare requirements. Southwark’s pre‐registration childminding support package includes our approved training and a home visit or a Zoom call. You may of course choose to access alternative training in home‐based childcare. If you choose this option, please be reminded that you must also pay for and attend a 12 hour Paediatric first aid course before applying for Ofsted registration. Should you then wish to access a Southwark Home Support Visit, this will be an additional fee of £30.

 

How long will it take to become registered?

From the moment you make an enquiry to the local authority to become a registered childminder it can take approximately six months to complete the process.

It can take up to 12 weeks after you have completed all the necessary training and completed the online application form for an Ofsted Inspector to confirm your registration visit. At this visit, the inspector will expect you to be ready to begin childminding, so you should ensure that you have everything ready.

During their visit, the Ofsted inspector will:

  • Check your identity, premises, and equipment.
  • Ask to see your DBS disclosure certificate.
  • Ask you how you plan to deliver all of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, testing your knowledge and understanding.
  • Assess how you will help children to make good progress with their learning and development while they are in your care.
  • Assess how you will meet safeguarding and welfare requirements.

 

If your application is approved you will be contacted by Ofsted who will issue you with a Certificate of Registration. You can not provide childcare as a registered childminder until you have your registration certificate and appropriate public liability insurance in place which you are also required to purchase.

 

Southwark’s vision for the childminding workforce:

Southwark is committed to providing a systematic and differentiated ‘Support and Challenge’ strategy set within

the core principles of the Statutory Guidance of the EYFS, which encourages all childcare settings to continuously

reflect and improve on the quality of their provision to provide a happy, safe, warm, and stimulating environment,

one which engages parents so all children can play, learn and develop freely and realise their full potential in life

 

Useful Links:

https://www.gov.uk/become-childminder-nanny