Registered Childminders
Registered childminders and approved home childcarers
Information and support
A registered childminder works in their own home and is registered and inspected by Ofsted, demonstrating the quality and standards of their care. Ofsted ensures that every childminder meets the national standards such as:
ensuring they're suitable to be with children
checking that they provide a safe, stimulating and caring environment, giving children opportunities for learning and play
making sure they work in partnership with parents and carers
In addition, in order to become registered, a childminder must undertake police and health checks, have a regular inspection of their home and take an introductory childminding course and first aid training.
Registered childminders can only look after a certain number of children at any one time, which allows them to focus more on each child. Many registered childminders provide flexible childcare including, early in the morning, late in the evening, overnight and at weekends. Additionally childminders can provide continuity of care and stability, often looking after children from babyhood through to school age.
Carers providing care in the child's home (nannies) and childminders looking solely after children over the age of seven can be approved under the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS) providing they meet the basic criteria. For more details see www.childcareapprovalscheme.co.uk Opens in new window. Nannies are ideal for parents with disabled children and those working atypical hours.
If you use a registered childminder or approved home childcarer you may be eligible to tax credits. Parents can receive help up to 70 per cent of their eligible childcare costs. Contact the Inland Revenue for more details.
To find a registered childminder you can use a new and improved search tool for finding and researching schools, childcare and nurseries. The new service - which now also provides Ofsted reports, maps and achievement tables - will soon be fully available on ParentsCentre. In the meantime, you can find it on the Parents section of Directgov. As this is an external website, the link below will open in a new window which you will need to close to return to ParentsCentre.
Search for schools, childcare and nurseries
For further information contact:
Sure Start Website
Tel: 0870 000 22 88
National Childminding Association (NCMA)
Information line: 0800 169 4486. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm except public holidays
Fax: 020 8290 6834
Email: info@ncma.org.uk
NCMA Website
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
Tel: 020 7421 6800 Helpline: 08456 014771
OFSTED Website
Inland Revenue
Phone: 0845 300 3900
Inland Revenue Website
Tax credits: 08459 15 45 15
