Becoming a childminder
Following the announcement of the new start-up grant for childminders at the Spring Budget on 15 March 2023, we can confirm that the £600 grant for those who register with Ofsted, and £1200 for those who register with a childminder agency, will be payable to any individual who has completed their childminder registration on or after 15 March 2023. New childminders will be able to apply for the grant from autumn 2023.
Our priority is to support childminders by helping with the costs incurred when registering, and giving them the flexibility to choose their own pathway into the sector. We know that it is more expensive to register with a childminder agency, and our grants reflect this, as we want prospective childminders to have the choice of the route that best suits their needs.
Interested in becoming a Devon Childminder? Please complete our childminder enquiry form.
-
How do I become a registered childminder in Devon?
You will need to register with Ofsted or a childminder agency before you can look after children under the age of eight years. To be a childminder you need to be at least 18. As part of the registration process you would need to:
- attend suitable childminding training that will allow you to demonstrate your ability to deliver the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- attend a safeguarding awareness course
- attend paediatric first aid training.
The Devon Early Years and Childcare service provides free pre registration support and advice. If you would like to become a Devon childminder, or would like some advice, please contact us via our online enquiry form.
The registration process can take up to twelve weeks from when you submit an application form. To find out more and to apply please visit Ofsted.
Depending on how you plan to organise your childminding service, it may require planning permission before setting up; especially if two childminders want to work together from their home. We recommend you contact your local council for advice during your business planning stage and before you apply to Ofsted:
-
What training do I need to do to become a childminder?
Preparing to be a childminder course:
Our ‘Preparing to be a childminder’ eLearning course covers all the training requirements to prepare you for Ofsted registration.
Cost: £25 per person.
If you would like to become a Devon childminder, or would like some advice, please contact us via our online enquiry form.Additional training:
As well as undertaking the ‘Preparing to be a Childminder’ training, you must also attend a Paediatric First Aid course (which costs £75 per person) and a Safeguarding Awareness (Group 2) course (fully funded). Please note – if you already hold a current Paediatric First Aid or a Safeguarding Awareness certificate you do not need to undertake this course again.
If you have any questions please contact us via our online enquiry form.
-
Registering with Ofsted
- Early Years Register: covering children from birth up to the 31st August following their fifth birthday
- Childcare Register:
- compulsory part – covering children from the end of the early years stage until they reach the age of eight
- voluntary part – covering children over eight years of age.
Please see the Quick Guide to registering as a childminder
Please follow the Ofsted online application process: registering to become a childminder.
-
Additional support and advice
- Childminder | Explore careers | National Careers Service
- For further advice and guidance and a range of model policies and templates to help meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS please visit our Providers page.
- You may also find these one minute safeguarding guides useful: Safeguarding one minute guides
- Advice and guidance and a range of material and tools to help you meet the Learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
-
Contact us
If you would like to become a Devon childminder, or would like some advice, please contact us via our online enquiry form.
