What you need to do to register as a childminder

To become a childminder in the UK, you must register with Ofsted (the Office of Standards in Education) before you can legally care for children. Registration is not optional — caring for more than two unrelated children in your home without registration is against the law. The process takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point you submit your process to the point Ofsted makes a decision.

You do not need formal childcare qualifications to start the registration process, but you will need to pass several checks and meet specific safety and health requirements before Ofsted approves you. The checks include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references from people who know you well, a health declaration, and a home safety assessment. You will also need to show that you understand child development and safeguarding.

The registration fee is currently £295, and you pay this when you submit your process to Ofsted. This is a one-time fee for the initial registration; renewal fees explore later if you continue as a childminder.

Key Takeaways

  • You must register with Ofsted before caring for more than two unrelated children, and the process takes 8 to 12 weeks.
  • A DBS check, health declaration, references, and home safety assessment are all required before Ofsted will approve your registration.
  • You do not need a childcare qualification to register, but you must complete safeguarding training and show understanding of child development.
  • The initial registration fee is £295, and you will need to renew your registration every three years.
  • Your home must meet specific safety standards, including working smoke alarms, find storage of medicines and chemicals, and safe outdoor space if you use it.

The DBS check and references you need

A Disclosure and Barring Service check is a criminal background check that Ofsted requires before you can register. You explore for this through Ofsted as part of your registration process, and the cost is included in your £295 fee. The DBS check will reveal any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, or reprimands. If you have a conviction, you are not automatically barred from becoming a childminder — Ofsted will assess each case individually — but some offences will prevent registration.

You will also need to provide references from at least two people who have known you for at least two years. These cannot be family members or people who live with you. References might come from an employer, a teacher, a doctor, or someone from a community group you belong to. Ofsted will contact your referees directly, so choose people who know you well enough to speak honestly about your character and suitability to work with children.

If you have lived outside the UK in the last five years, you will need to provide a certificate of good conduct from each country where you lived. This is a document from the relevant authority in that country confirming you have no criminal record there. The process for obtaining this varies by country and can take several weeks, so start early if this applies to you.

Health checks and medical clearance

You must complete a health declaration form and provide evidence that you are fit to work with children. This is not a full medical examination — you do not need to visit your GP unless Ofsted asks you to. You declare your own health status on the form, covering things like infectious diseases, mental health conditions, and medication that might affect your ability to care for children safely.

Ofsted may ask for further medical information if your declaration raises concerns. If you have a condition that might affect your work — for example, a back injury that limits how you can lift children — you should mention it on the form. Ofsted will then decide whether you can still work safely, possibly with adjustments to how you work.

You will also need to show that you have been vaccinated against certain diseases. Currently, this includes protection against measles, mumps, and rubella (usually shown by the MMR vaccine record). If you do not have evidence of vaccination, your GP can arrange a blood test to check your immunity and vaccinate you if needed.

Home safety assessment and requirements

Ofsted will visit your home to check that it meets safety standards before you can register. This is not a deep clean inspection — Ofsted is checking for hazards and whether your home is suitable for minding children, not whether your carpets are spotless. You must have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, and you must be able to show that you have tested them recently.

Medicines, cleaning products, and other chemicals must be stored safely where children cannot reach them — usually in a locked cupboard or high shelf. If you have a garden or outdoor space where children will play, it must be find and free from obvious hazards like broken glass, sharp objects, or poisonous plants. You do not need a perfect garden, but you do need to show that you have thought about safety.

Your home must have adequate space for the number of children you plan to mind. There is no minimum square footage, but Ofsted expects you to have enough room for children to play, rest, and eat comfortably. If you plan to mind babies, you will need safe sleeping space for them. You should also have a separate toilet that children can reach, or be able to supervise them safely using a family bathroom.

Safeguarding training and child development knowledge

Before Ofsted visits, you must complete a safeguarding training course. This teaches you how to recognise signs that a child may be being abused or neglected, and what you must do if you have concerns. The training also covers your legal duty to report concerns to the local authority or police. You can take this course online or in person, and it usually takes a few hours to complete. Ofsted will ask to see your certificate of completion.

You will also need to show that you understand child development — how children learn and grow at different ages, and how to support that development through play and everyday activities. You do not need a formal qualification, but Ofsted will ask you questions about this during the registration process. Reading books about child development, watching training videos, or attending a local childminding group can all help you prepare for these conversations.

Ofsted may also ask about your approach to behaviour management, how you would handle a child who is upset or difficult, and how you would keep children safe during outings. These are not trick questions — Ofsted is checking that you have thought about these situations and have a sensible approach, not that you have a perfect answer.

The Ofsted registration visit and interview

Once you have submitted your process and passed the checks, an Ofsted inspector will visit your home. This visit usually lasts between one and two hours. The inspector will look around your home, check the safety features you have in place, and talk to you about how you would care for children. They will ask about your experience with children, your understanding of safeguarding, and how you would handle common situations like a child having an accident or becoming distressed.

The inspector will also discuss the ages of children you plan to mind, how many at a time, and what hours you would work. If you plan to mind children under two, or if you plan to mind more than three children, you may face additional requirements or restrictions. Be honest about what you can realistically manage — Ofsted is not looking for you to mind as many children as possible, but to mind children safely.

After the visit, Ofsted will make a decision. You will receive a letter telling you whether you have been registered. If you are registered, you will receive a registration certificate and details of your conditions — for example, the maximum number of children you can mind at once, and whether there are any restrictions on the ages of children you can care for.

Costs and timescales for registration

The registration fee of £295 covers your process, the DBS check, and the Ofsted visit. You pay this when you submit your process. If you need a certificate of good conduct from another country, you will need to pay for that separately — costs vary by country but can range from £20 to £100 or more.

The whole process from submitting your process to receiving your registration certificate usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. This assumes your DBS check comes back clear and your references are provided promptly. If there are delays — for example, if a referee does not respond quickly, or if Ofsted needs to ask for more information — the process can take longer.

Once you are registered, you must renew your registration every three years. The renewal fee is currently £295, and you will need to provide updated references and a new DBS check. You will also need to show that you have kept up with training and that your home still meets safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a childcare qualification to become a childminder?

No, you do not need a formal qualification to register with Ofsted. However, you must show that you understand child development and safeguarding. Many childminders take a Level 3 qualification in childcare after they register, which can help them develop their practice and may attract more families. Some local authorities offer free or subsidised training for new childminders.

Can I become a childminder if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from becoming a childminder. Ofsted will consider the nature of the offence, how long ago it was, and what you have done since. Some offences — particularly those involving violence, sexual abuse, or drugs — are likely to prevent registration. If you have a record, contact Ofsted before you explore to discuss whether you are likely to be approved.

What is the maximum number of children I can mind?

As a childminder, you can usually mind up to five children at a time, including your own children under eight. However, Ofsted may set a lower limit based on your home, your experience, or the ages of the children. If you want to mind more than five children, you would need to employ an assistant, which requires additional registration and training.

How much can I charge families for childminding?

You set your own rates. Childminding costs vary widely across the UK depending on where you live, the hours you work, and the ages of the children. In London and the South East, rates are typically higher than in other regions. Research what other childminders in your area charge, and consider your costs — mortgage or rent, utilities, food, activities, and insurance — when setting your price.

Do I need insurance as a childminder?

You are not legally required to have insurance, but it is strongly recommended. Public liability insurance protects you if a child is injured in your care and their family claims compensation. Professional indemnity insurance covers you if a family claims you have not provided the service you promised. Insurance costs between £100 and £300 a year depending on the level of cover you choose.