How to Register as a Childminder in the UK
The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a career as a registered childminder in the UK offers incredible flexibility, the opportunity to work from home, and the chance to make a profound difference in a child’s early years. While the registration process may seem complex, especially when dealing with regulatory bodies like Ofsted, it’s a clear, structured path that leads to a rewarding business.
This guide breaks down every essential step you need to take to go from an idea to a fully registered, professional childminder.
Step 1: Meeting Mandatory Requirements (Before You Apply)
Before you even fill out the official forms, there are several foundational requirements you must have in place to be eligible to work with children.
1. Training and Qualifications
You are required to complete a specific level of training that helps you understand how to look after children, how to keep them safe, and how to meet their developmental needs.
Pre-Registration Training: You must complete a course that covers the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This training will ensure you understand the standards for learning, development, and care.
Paediatric First Aid: You must hold a valid 12-hour Paediatric First Aid certificate. This is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure you can handle emergencies.
2. Safeguarding and Background Checks
Your suitability to work with children will be rigorously checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Enhanced DBS Check: You, and every person aged 16 or over who lives or regularly works in your home, must have a clear, enhanced DBS check. This is a crucial step in the safeguarding process.
Health Declaration: You will need to complete a health declaration form to confirm you are physically and mentally capable of caring for children.
You can find the latest government guidance on DBS checks on the official Gov.uk website.
Step 2: Choosing Your Registration Route
In the UK, you have two primary options for becoming a registered childminder.
1. Direct Registration with Ofsted
If you plan to care for children aged 0-5, you must register with the regulator, Ofsted, on the Early Years Register (EYR). If you plan to only care for children aged 5-8, you register on the Childcare Register. Most childminders register on both.
Pros: You maintain direct control over your business and compliance.
Cons: You are responsible for knowing and meeting all EYFS requirements yourself.
2. Registering with a Childminder Agency (CMA)
Alternatively, you can register through a CMA.
Pros: The agency provides training, support, and carries out the inspection on Ofsted’s behalf, often making the initial setup feel less daunting.
Cons: You usually pay monthly or annual fees to the agency, reducing your overall profit.
Step 3: Preparing Your Home for Inspection
Once your application is underway, you need to prepare your premises and your paperwork for a pre-registration inspection.
1. Home Safety and Suitability
The inspector will visit your home to ensure it is a safe and stimulating environment for children.
Risk Assessments: You must complete detailed risk assessments for all areas of your home and garden, ensuring hazards are minimized.
Space and Equipment: You must have adequate space, ventilation, lighting, and safe equipment (like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers) in place.
2. Paperwork and Policies
The inspector will check that you have all the necessary documents to run your business professionally and legally.
You will need to create and document key policies, including:
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Complaints Procedure
Behaviour Management Policy
Accident/Incident Reporting
Review the current Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework.
Step 4: The Inspection and Final Registration
The final stage involves the inspector confirming your compliance and professionalism.
The inspector will review your policies, check your safety measures, verify your training, and confirm your understanding of the EYFS. Once successful, you will receive your unique registration certificate, and you can officially begin operating your new childminding business!
The Childminding Journey Made Simple: Your Step-by-Step Solution
Navigating the necessary training, the endless forms, the complex language of Ofsted, and preparing for your home inspection can often feel like a massive undertaking. You shouldn’t have to piece together scattered advice from Facebook groups or spend months guessing what to do next.
This is exactly why we created the Become a Registered Childminder in the UK – Step-by-Step course.
It’s the complete roadmap – everything you need to go from idea to fully registered childminder and beyond.
Why This Course is Your Essential Tool:
Saves Months of Guesswork: Get clear, beginner-friendly guidance with no jargon, so you know exactly what to do and in what order.
Avoids Costly Mistakes: Set up correctly from the very start, avoiding common pitfalls that delay registration or cost you money.
Everything You Need: The course provides clear video lessons, written guides, essential checklists, and editable templates for your policies and contracts.
Proven Support: Built by professionals who’ve opened nurseries and successfully registered multiple childminders, giving you real inspection examples.
Affordable Investment: For a single, one-time payment of £49.00, you get lifetime access and save hundreds in potential agency fees by learning to register directly.
By the end of this course, you will not only know exactly how to register with confidence but also be ready to run your business professionally and profitably.
Ready to take the confusion out of registration?
Not Ready to Enrol Yet? Get Your Free Childminder Startup Guide
We understand that becoming a childminder is a big decision, and you might need a little more clarity before investing.
Download our FREE Childminder Startup Checklist to get a head start on planning your business and preparing your home.
Inside, you’ll get:
The 3 Essential Steps you can take today without spending a penny.
A breakdown of the initial costs to expect.
A summary of the required space and equipment.
This is the perfect next step for anyone in the planning stage.