How to Become a Childminder in UK | South London College

In celebration of Childminders Week 2026

Who is a Childminder?

A childminder is a childcare professional who cares for children within their own homes.

Unlike nannies or nursery workers, childminders offer a ‘home-from-home’ environment for small groups of children.

Childminders can care for up to six children under the age of eight at once.

There are two types of childminders,

✔ Childminder (with domestic premises) – works from their own home
✔ Childminder (without domestic premises) – works in a non-home setting

How to Become a Childminder in the UK?

This is what you have to do to become a Childminder in the UK.

Step 01: Pre- Registration Briefing

You can find these online via Ofsted or an organization like Coram PACEY. These cover:

✔ What being a childminder involves day-to-day
✔ The registration process and requirements
✔ The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework
✔ How Ofsted inspections work

For more information see: Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing – GOV.UK

Step 02: Understand the Registers

Your registration depends on the age of children that you plan to care for.

✔ Early Years
✔ Childcare – Compulsory
✔ Childcare – Voluntary

Most childminders apply for both childcare and early years.

Step 03: Completing Required Training

Here are the Training Qualifications you need to obtain to become a childminder.

✔ Paediatric First Aid (Mandatory)
✔ EYFS Knowledge (Mandatory)
✔ Safeguarding Training (needs refreshing every 2 years)

Having Childcare qualifications will strengthen your application further. Read on to find out what courses you can take to strengthen your portfolio.

Step 04: Complete All Required Checks

You need to fulfil the following checks before you get certified as a childminder.

✔ DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check
✔ Health Declaration
✔ Home/Premises Suitability

Step 05: Setting Up Your Business

You need to,

✔ Register as self-employed with HMRC
✔ Take out public liability insurance
✔ Write policies and procedures covering safeguarding, behavior management, settling-in, illness, and emergencies
✔ Create a contract for each family covering hours, fees, and notice periods
✔ Keep records of attendance, accidents, medication, and observations
✔ Consider joining a professional organisation such as Coram PACEY or Childminding UK for support, resources, and insurance

Step 06: Ofsted Registration Visit

After your Ofsted registration, an inspector will arrive to,

✔ Check your premises are safe and suitable
✔ Assess your knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding
✔ Review your policies and procedures
✔ Verify your DBS certificates and first aid certificate

The registration process usually takes 6 to 12 months to finish.

You can find more information at Become a childminder or nanny (England): Register as a childminder based at home – GOV.UK.

Key Resources

Ofsted registration guidance	gov.uk/childminders-agency
GOV.UK – Becoming a childminder	gov.uk/become-childminder
Coram PACEY (training & membership)	corampacey.org.uk
Childminding UK	childmindinguk.com
DBS Update Service	gov.uk/dbs-update-service
EYFS Framework 2025	gov.uk/eyfs-statutory-framework

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Childminder?

There is a significant start-up cost, which includes registering, DBS and health check fees, and training fees. This will account for between £400 and £900.

How to become a registered childminder in the UK? See the link below for more information on costs and government registration.

Become a childminder or nanny (England): How much it costs – GOV.UK

The UK is very strict about regulations for childminders. Violation to these premises will result in prosecution under the Children Act 1989.

Where to Study Childminder Courses?

South London College offers courses specially designed for people aspiring to become childminders.

Level 3 Diploma for The Children’s Workforce (Early Years Educator) – RQF	Covers child development, EYFS, safeguarding, and professional practice. Equivalent to the Level 3 in Childcare & Education recommended for registration.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) – Social Care (RQF)	A well-recognised CACHE-accredited Level 3 qualification covering
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (England) – Learning, Development and Support Services (RQF)	Focused on learning and development, this is ideal for childminders who also support children with additional needs.
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate Introducing Caring for Children and Young People	A good starting point if you’re new to childcare. Covers the fundamentals of child development, safeguarding, and professional responsibilities.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) – RQF	Covers play theory and child-led activities — valuable for childminders who want to create enriching play-based learning environments for the children.
NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) – RQF	For experienced childminders looking to grow their practice, take on assistants, or progress into a management role.

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare: At a Glance

In this course, you will learn

✔ In-depth knowledge of child development, relationships, and emotional management.
✔ Develop communication skills to build trust, listen actively, and offer empathetic support.
✔ Understand the importance of secure relationships in fostering residential childcare and emotional support.
✔ Learn to identify and respond promptly to safety concerns in the child and the environment.

These will give you an in-depth idea on how to become a childminder in the UK.

Enrol at South London College

South London College is an online teaching platform providing a range of online courses, including Residential Childcare Diplomas.

At South London College, you can have

✔ Flexible study options
✔ High-quality e-learning materials
✔ 24/7 access to the learning portals
✔ Recognized Qualification
✔ Excellent administration support
✔ Flexible payment plans

Become a Childminder in the UK, effortlessly. Head to South London College for more courses and information.

Happy Learning!

May 15, 2026

How to Become a Childminder in the UK?

Who is a Childminder?