Becoming a childminder

Becoming a childminder is a fantastic career choice for anyone wanting to enter the early years workforce and work directly with children and families. 

This webcast explores the process of becoming a childminder from the very start of the journey right through to registration and beyond.

Join me Zoe Corfield for the next 70 mins as we explore the process together so we can make informed choices and fulfil our career ambitions.

Early Years Register: Caring for children aged from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday.

Childcare Register, has two parts:

1. compulsory: caring for children from 1 September after the child’s fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday
2. voluntary: caring for children aged 8 and over, or join this register if you are choosing to register voluntarily (for example, if you’re a nanny)

Exceptions: When do I not need to register and who cannot register as Childminder?

There are certain exceptions when you do not need to register as a Childminder for example if you are a babysitter looking after children between 6:00pm and 2:00am or a family friend looking after children for less than 3 hours a day.

Alongside this there are times when you cannot register as a childminder for example under 18 are barred from working with children or have been disqualified.

Find out more at GOV.UK - Becoming a Childminder

Website: Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted

The Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, effective September 2021, states that to become a registered childminder you must have undertaken the following training:

Website: Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) from GOV.UK

• paediatric first aid (12 hours)
• safeguarding
• training that helps them to understand and implement the EYFS

Once you are a registered childminder you must ensure all assistants have Paediatric First Aid and are trained to understand your Safeguarding policies and procedures.

If you would like to know what training you should undertake, or the process to become a registered childminder, please contact our Early Years Improvement Advisers: Telephone 01905 844048,

Understanding the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework: Childminders

A 7-episode series, designed to give childminders, prospective childminders and childminding assistants an understanding of the requirements they must meet as a registered childcare provider for children aged birth to five.

By fulfilling these requirements childminders are better able to create a high quality, welcoming, and safe setting where children can enjoy learning and grow in confidence.

Episode 1: 

Rationale and underpinning themes (CPD code 10527)

Understand the rationale and principles that underpin the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory requirements and our responsibilities within this. Taking a deep dive into how children learn we consider the characteristics of effective teaching and learning and how we can embrace these as part of a day-to-day provision.

Episode 2: 

Educational Programmes (CPD code 10530)

Consider what childminders must do when working in partnership with parents and/or carers to promote the learning and development of all children in their care. As well as explore the 7 areas of learning and development as set out in the educational programmes within the EYFS 

Episode 3: 

Building your curriculum (CPD code 10531)

Considers how we can build an effective curriculum that meets the needs of the children, families and local community. Within this we will consider what we really want for children in our care. In addition, we will consider the role of play in early years learning and how we can ensure a balanced approach of free play, guided play and adult led activities to support the holistic development of all children.

Episode 4: 

The wonder of teaching (CPD code: 10532)

Will focus on our role as teacher by unpicking Ofsted’s definition of teaching. To teach effectively we need to join children in play, so we will consider what a good play partner might look like and how we can put these skills into practice within our settings to truly embrace the wonder of teaching.

Episode 5: 

Observation, assessment and planning (CPD code: 10533)

Will unpick what we must do and how these fit into the observation, assessment, planning cycle. We will explore how to capture meaningful learning in action, ways in which to document this and how we then plan next steps, so this process is meaningful and has a purpose

Episode 6: 

Safeguarding and Welfare requirements (CPD code: 10534)

Will unpick our duties regarding the safeguarding and welfare requirements which sit in section 3 of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Guidance.

Episode 7: 

Leading effective childminding practice (CPD code: 10535)

Considers the importance of reflective practice and how we can use this as part of quality improvement for our childminding practice. Drawing on content already explored in this webcast series we will bring our learnings together to ensure our provision remains effective and in compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Guidance.

More details

Cost: Free

Duration: varies from 30 minutes to 75 minutes in length

Webcasts: can be watched at a date or time to suit you and as many times as required to support your needs

How to book

Book via the link below:

Book an Early Years CPD course

• each registered childminder will have login details to make bookings on behalf of their Childminding Assistant and themselves
• prospective childminders will need an account organised for CPD – to do this please contact the Training and Conference Team by emailing workforcesupport@worcestershire.gov.uk and provide the following details: name for certification, address, best contact number and email address
• all confirmations once a booking has been made will provide all the necessarily links to access each webcast

If you encounter any issues when booking please contact the Training and Conference Team directly on: 01905 844 420 / 844 030 or email: workforcesupport@worcestershire.gov.uk

Information on initial costs relating to Registration Fees, DBS and training and insurance:

Website: Become a childminder or nanny (England) from GOV.UK