Education & Training UK-wide

Register as a Childminder in England

Complete guide to becoming a registered childminder, from pre-registration training and DBS checks to Ofsted registration and setting up your self-employed childminding business.

Guide summary

You must complete pre-registration training, get an Enhanced DBS check (cost £49.50), and apply to Ofsted online (fee £35). The process takes about 3 to 4 months. You need a paediatric first aid certificate and insurance. You can care for up to 6 children under 8, with no more than 3 under 5.

  • Attend a free childminder information session with your local authority
  • Complete a 12-hour paediatric first aid course
  • Get an Enhanced DBS check for yourself (£49.50) and for household members aged 16+
  • Apply to Ofsted online and pay the £35 application fee
  • Prepare your home – install smoke alarms, stair gates, and do a risk assessment
  • Have insurance, such as public liability insurance
  • Write policies for safeguarding, behaviour, equality, and health and safety
  • Register as self-employed with HMRC by 5 October after you start
  • You can work with up to 3 assistants under your registration
  • Recheck your DBS every 3 years
On this page

Related guides in DBS Checks

Safer Recruitment for Childcare Settings

Step-by-step safer recruitment for childcare providers including DBS enhanced checks, disqualification declarations, reference checking, interview techniques, and maintaining …

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 flexibilities

Recent changes give registered childminders more flexibility in how they work:

  • Work with up to 4 people: A childminder can work with up to 3 assistants or other childminders (4 people in total) under one childminder registration. If 5 or more people work together, you must register as childcare on domestic premises instead.
  • Work from non-domestic premises: Since 1 November 2024 there is no limit on the proportion of childcare you can provide on non-domestic premises, provided you still provide some childcare in a home.
  • Childminder without domestic premises: A separate registration category lets you childmind entirely from non-domestic premises.

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:

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:

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:

Safeguarding requirements for childminders

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

Setting up your childminding business

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

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.
  • Hold appropriate insurance: Appropriate insurance (such as public liability insurance) is a statutory EYFS requirement - you must have it in place before caring for children, and no minimum amount is specified. Childminder policies typically cost £80-150 per year from 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: