Job Description

Childminders offer professional childcare and early education from their own home. They look after small groups of children of different ages and from different families.

Childminders provide children with high quality care and play opportunities which help them learn and give them the best start in life.

What you’ll do

Childminders can be very flexible about how they structure each day. They can provide learning activities in their home and in the local environment and community.

A typical day is likely to include:

• encouraging children’s development using creative play, reading and storytelling
• cooking with and for the children, providing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks
• providing learning opportunities away from the home such as the beach, park or library  
• taking the children to and from nursery or school
• observing the children’s progress
• working with parents and carers to support their child’s ongoing learning and development
• safeguarding the children and ensuring their welfare

You could also learn from an experienced childminder as a childminding assistant.

New childminders may be able to apply for a childminder start-up grant.

Entry Requirements

To become a childminder, you can either register with Ofsted or a childminder agency. > Become a childminder or nanny (England): Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You do not need a qualification; however, you must complete the following training before registration:

• 12 Hour Paediatric First Aid Training Course
• Safeguarding

You must ensure you have knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

Although you may be able to get into this role without specific GCSE qualifications, we highly recommend that you try to achieve at least a grade 4 (C) in English & Maths. Achieving this minimum grade in these subjects will increase opportunities in the future and help with your career development and prospects.

If you don't achieve the minimum grades, you will be supported to continue to study English and Maths throughout your full-time education or an apprenticeship.

Restrictions and requirements

You must apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) > DBS checks for childminders and childcare workers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For details on the number of children a childminder can look after please refer to > Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage for childminders (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Career Tips

• It's a good idea to do some research where you live to find out if there is a demand for childminders in your local area.
• You may need to budget to pay for courses, including Paediatric first aid and safeguarding.
• There is a fee for registering with Ofsted and you will need to pay for a medical check.
• As you'll be self-employed you might find it useful to find out more about your responsibilities for tax and taking out insurance. You can get advice about this from GOV.UK.
• You'll find details about careers and courses in childcare from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

> Working in early years and childcare - Early Years Careers

> Working in the early years sector - Suffolk County Council

> Become a Childminder - Norfolk County Council

Career Pathway and Progression

With experience you could expand your business and take on a childcare assistant.

With further training you could become a tutor within the childcare sector. You could also move into a related job like nursery worker, playworker, community play leader or teaching assistant.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Playworker – community /Youth worker
• Nanny
• Nursery worker
• School lunchtime supervisor
• Maternity Support Worker
• Teaching Assistant
• Community Nursery Nurse

Required Skills

• Patience and understanding,
• A love of children
• Good communication skills
• Creativity and imagination to inspire and engage
• Knowledge of safeguarding
• A good sense of fun
• The ability to keep records / IT skills
• Sufficient standard of spoken and written English to engage with families and other professionals.

Salary Range

Variable