Register as a Childminder in England

Becoming a registered childminder allows you to care for children in your own home as a self-employed professional. Childminding offers flexibility and rewarding work, but requires Ofsted registration and adherence to strict safeguarding and quality standards.

This guide takes you through every step of the childminder registration process, from initial training through to launching your childminding business.

What you need to register as a childminder

Before starting your application, understand the key requirements and costs:

Childminder Registration Requirements

Minimum age to register: 18 years
Ofsted registration fee: £103
Annual Ofsted fee: £35
Enhanced DBS check cost: £59.40
DBS Update Service (optional): £16 per year
Paediatric first aid course: 12 hours (full) or 6 hours (emergency)
First aid certificate validity: 3 years
Maximum children at one time: 6 children under 8 years
Maximum children under 5: 3 children
Maximum children under 1: Usually 1 child
Minimum qualification: Level 3 or working towards within 18 months
Public liability insurance minimum: £1 million (recommended, not statutory)

Step-by-step registration process

The childminder registration process typically takes 3-4 months from initial enquiry to receiving your Ofsted certificate. Start well before you need to begin earning:

Become a Registered Childminder

Attend information session: Contact your local authority to attend a childminder information session (usually free). This explains the role and requirements.
Complete pre-registration training: Complete introduction to childminding course (varies by local authority), paediatric first aid (12 hours), safeguarding training, and food hygiene training (recommended).
Apply for DBS checks: Obtain Enhanced DBS check with barred lists for yourself (£59.40). All household members aged 16+ also need DBS checks. Consider joining DBS Update Service (£16/year).
Prepare your home: Complete home safety checklist, create risk assessments for each room children access, prepare outdoor space or plan daily outings, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and fit safety equipment (fireguards, stair gates).
Obtain insurance: Get public liability insurance (minimum £1 million recommended, though not statutory). Some insurers specialize in childminder cover.
Apply to Ofsted online: Complete application at GOV.UK Ofsted registration service, upload all certificates and documents, and pay £103 application fee.
Prepare policies and procedures: Write safeguarding policy, behaviour management policy, equality policy, and health and safety policy. Ofsted will review these at inspection.
Undergo home inspection: Ofsted inspector will visit your home to check all areas children will access, review your understanding of EYFS, and assess your suitability. This happens within 12 weeks of application.
Receive registration: If successful, receive Ofsted registration certificate and URN. You can now legally provide childcare.
Register as self-employed: Register with HMRC as self-employed within 3 months of starting. Childminders are self-employed and responsible for their own tax.
Set fees and market services: Research local rates, set your fees, create contracts for parents, and begin advertising. Join local childminder network for support.

Obtaining your DBS check

An Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list is mandatory for childminders. All household members aged 16 and over also require DBS checks:

DBS Check Costs and Timescales for Childcare

Enhanced DBS check: £52.20
Enhanced DBS with barred lists (required for childcare): £59.40
Volunteer DBS check: Free
DBS Update Service annual fee: £16 per year
Standard processing time: 14 days average
Complex case processing: Up to 8 weeks
Update Service registration window: Within 30 days of certificate issue
Recommended recheck interval: Every 3 years
Certificate expiry: No formal expiry (but regular rechecks required)

How to apply for a DBS check

As a self-employed childminder, you cannot apply directly for a DBS check. You must use an umbrella organisation or your local authority:

Obtain DBS Check for Childcare Work

Identify registered body: You cannot apply directly. Your employer, agency, or an umbrella body must initiate the check. If self-employed (e.g., childminder), use an umbrella body.
Complete DBS application: Fill in the DBS application form online or on paper through the registered body. Provide full address history for the last 5 years.
Verify your identity: Present original identity documents for verification - passport or birth certificate plus photo ID, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), and National Insurance number.
Pay the fee: Pay £59.40 for Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list. Some employers pay this; self-employed individuals pay themselves.
Wait for processing: DBS checks police national computer and children's barred list. This takes 14 days on average, up to 8 weeks if there are disclosures to review.
Receive DBS certificate: Certificate arrives by post to your home address. Check all details are correct immediately.
Register with Update Service (optional): Within 30 days of receiving certificate, register at gov.uk/dbs-update-service for £16/year. This allows instant online checks without reapplying.
Present certificate to employer: Show certificate to your employer or Ofsted. Employers can only record certificate number and issue date, not keep copies.
Maintain status: If using Update Service, keep subscription active. Without it, obtain new DBS check every 3 years as best practice.

Safeguarding requirements for childminders

Safeguarding is a critical part of childminding. Ofsted will assess your understanding of safeguarding during your registration inspection:

Childcare Safeguarding Requirements

Designated safeguarding lead: Mandatory in all settings
Safeguarding training: All staff must complete before starting
DBS check requirement: Enhanced with barred lists for all staff
Household member checks (childminders): All household members 16+ need DBS checks
Disqualification by association: Certain convictions disqualify household members
Mobile phone and camera policy: Required in all settings
Visitor procedures: Must never be left alone with children
Safeguarding policy review: At least annually

Setting up your childminding business

Once you receive your Ofsted registration, you need to set up the business and tax aspects of childminding:

Setting Up as Self-Employed Childminder

Register as self-employed: Register with HMRC as self-employed within 3 months of starting. Childminders are self-employed, not employees.
Choose accounting method: Decide whether to use standard accounting or cash basis. Cash basis is simpler for most childminders (income when received, expenses when paid).
Set up record-keeping: Keep records of all income from parents (fees, government funding claims) and expenses (toys, equipment, food, proportion of household bills). Records must be kept for at least 5 years.
Understand tax-free allowances: As a childminder using your home, you can claim tax relief on a proportion of household costs (mortgage/rent, utilities, council tax, insurance). Typically 10% of costs or time-based calculation.
Register for Self Assessment: Complete Self Assessment tax return each year by 31 January (online) or 31 October (paper). Pay any tax owed by 31 January.
Consider National Insurance: Pay Class 2 National Insurance (£3.45/week for 2025/26) if profits over £6,725. Class 4 NI at 9% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270.
Claim government funding: Register your URN with local authority to claim 2-year-old funding and 30-hours funding on behalf of parents. Funding paid directly to you.
Set your fees: Research local rates and set competitive fees. Consider hourly, daily, or weekly rates. Include late collection fees in your contracts.
Create parent contracts: Use written contracts with all parents covering fees, payment terms, hours, holidays, notice periods, and policies.

What happens after registration?

After receiving your Ofsted registration certificate and URN, you can legally begin caring for children. Here's what to do next:

Market your services: Create a profile on Childcare.co.uk, advertise in local parent groups, join your local childminder network, and get business cards printed.
Register with local authority: Register your URN with your local authority to claim government funding (15 hours, 30 hours, 2-year funding) on behalf of parents.
Set competitive fees: Research local childminder rates. In 2025, average rates are £5-7 per hour depending on location, with higher rates in London and South East.
Create parent contracts: Use a standard childminding contract template (available from PACEY or childminding.org) covering fees, payment terms, notice periods, illness policy, and holidays.
Get insurance quotes: Public Liability insurance (£1 million recommended) costs £80-150 per year. Shop around with childminding specialists like Morton Michel or Simply Business.
Plan your first Ofsted inspection: Ofsted will inspect within 30 months of registration. Maintain high standards from day one - observations, learning journeys, policies up to date.

Online services for childminders

You'll use several online services throughout registration and ongoing compliance:

Business Context Testing

Content Graph

Guvnor

Register as a Childminder in England

What you need to register as a childminder

Step-by-step registration process

Obtaining your DBS check

How to apply for a DBS check

Safeguarding requirements for childminders

Setting up your childminding business

What happens after registration?

Online services for childminders

Compliance Assistant

🧪 Business Context Testing

◉ Content Graph

What you need to register as a childminder

Step-by-step registration process

Obtaining your DBS check

How to apply for a DBS check

Safeguarding requirements for childminders

Setting up your childminding business

What happens after registration?

Online services for childminders

Related guides in DBS Checks

Business Context Testing

Content Graph