Registering with Ofsted

There are two registers maintained by Ofsted:
The Early Years Register, for childminders caring for children from birth to the 31st August following their 5th birthday.
The Childcare Register, which has two parts: the compulsory part for childminders caring for children from the end of the EYFS up to the age of 8 and the voluntary part for childminders caring for children aged 8-years and above and for Ofsted Registered nannies caring for all aged children.

Registering as a childminder (England)
Registered childminders work in their own home, caring for other people's children. They can also work for part of their time on non-domestic premises that have been approved by Ofsted/CMA.
From 1 November 2024 childminders can also register under a new category of 'childminder without domestic premises', spending 100% of their time caring for children on approved non-domestic premises.
Registration with Ofsted (or an Ofsted Registered Childminder agency) is required if you want to look after other people’s children, aged under 8-years, in your home or on approved non-domestic premises, for 2 hours or more a day, for reward.

Registration is voluntary for children aged 8-years+ but is recommended in order to give parents the assurance that the childminder has relevant safety checks and qualifications. It is also necessary for those wishing to accept payments from the tax-free childcare scheme.

To become registered, childminders must undertake safeguarding, and paediatric first-aid training, complete a health declaration, hold public liability insurance, and have a pre-registration inspection by an Ofsted inspector (or childminder agency representative).
Childminders registering on the Early Years Register to care for young children (up to the end of Reception) must have good knowledge and understanding of the EYFS Statutory Framework and be able to demonstrate this at their pre-registration inspection.
In addition to the above requirements, childminders registering on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Year 1 to age 8) must also complete childminder training. Those on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register must have a Level 2 childcare qualification or training in the common core skills.
Childminders (and anyone in their household aged 16y+ if working on domestic premises), must have an enhanced DBS check or equivalent (such as a CRB for those who predate the DBS service).
Childminders must also adhere to the requirements of the Childcare Register when looking after older children.
Childminders may operate together in groups of up to 4 childminders and/or assistants, at any one time. If 5 or more adults work together, in a home for at least some of the time, they must register as childcare on domestic premises (CoDP). If they work 100% on non-domestic premises they must register as a nursery or pre-school.

In some situations, childminders are required to seek planning permission from their Local Authority, for example, if they employ an assistant, care for more than 6 children at a time or have an area of their property dedicated solely to childminding. If using an area solely for childminding, or working on non-domestic premises, planning permission and Business Rates may apply. Childminders also need to confirm that their deeds do not prohibit running a business and, advise their mortgage company or if in rented accommodation, seek Landlord consent.

Upon registration childminders will be automatically registered by Ofsted/Agency as food providers with their local Environmental Health department who may choose to inspect the premises and may require the childminder to undertake a food safety course.

Ofsted inspect childminders on the Early Years Register at least once every 6 years, and 10% of those on the Childcare Register. They may inspect more frequently, in particular where concerns have been raised. There are separate requirements for Childminder Agency inspections.

For more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/becoming-a-childminder-and-running-your-business

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childminders-and-childcare-providers-register-with-ofsted/the-ofsted-registers

Registering as a nanny (England)
Nannies work in the child/ren's home.
They may care for children of any age, for up to 2 families at the same time, wholly or mainly in the home of one family. If a nanny cares for children from more than 2 families at the same time they must register as a childminder instead.

Nannies do not have to register with Ofsted but there are benefits to registration, including parents being reassured that the nanny has undergone relevant safety checks, has a first aid qualification and parents being able to use the tax free childcare scheme to pay the nanny.

To become registered nannies must have first aid training, childcare training (Level 2 or common core skills), public liability insurance, and enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and are recommended to join the DBS update service.
Nannies must agree to meet the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register which include safeguarding children, no smoking; no corporal punishment, suitability, health and safety, L2 childcare or common core skills training, and anti-discriminatory practice.

Ofsted inspect 10% of providers on the Childcare Register, including nannies. They will always obtain consent from the parents before entering the premises however.

For more information:
https://www.gov.uk/become-childminder-nanny/register-nanny

DBS requirements for childminders and other childcare workers:

Childcare workers, including childminders must have an enhanced check with barred lists from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For childminders, any adults who live with them and/or work with them regularly during childcare hours will also need a DBS check. This could include partners, assistants, co-minders, cleaners, housemates, lodgers and children over the age of 16.

Ofsted will only accept a DBS certificate within 3 months of the issue date. Because of this, Ofsted strongly recommends that new applicants sign up for the DBS update service to keep their certificate up to date. If there are issues or mistakes that delay the application beyond 3 months, a new DBS check may be required if the update service was not joined.
A DBS on the update service may also be used for new jobs or roles with children, except childminding as these must state 'childminder' or 'home-based'.
Applicants must subscribe within 30 days of the DBS certificate being issued, if they wish to join the update service, and pay the annual fee.

Please note:
Childminders who registered before 2012 will not have a DBS. They may have a CRB but if registered before 2005 they will have had a social services police check, for which no certificate was provided. Ofsted ensure that ALL childminders registered with them, whatever form of check undertaken remain suitable to work with children, and are notified automatically of any circumstances that may affect suitability.

To apply for an enhanced DBS follow the link below
https://www.ofsteddbsapplication.co.uk/
For more information about DBS checks see the link below
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-record-checks-for-childminders-and-childcare-workers