Q. Where do I start?
The best place to start is our 'Becoming a Childminder: Step-by-Step Guide', which provides you with an easy-to-follow overview of all things childminding - including the role of childminders and a step-by-step guide to registering with the Care Inspectorate.
Once you have signed up to receive our Becoming a Childminder: Step-by-Step Guide using the online form (see above) you will receive further information and notifications as you progress.
We would also recommend that you take part in our
Childminding Induction Support Programme, which will help you with the registration process, establishing your childminding business with confidence and get you started with strong foundations.
Q. Do I need any qualifications or training to become a childminder?
There are no qualifications needed to become a childminder; however, we highly recommend that you complete our
Childminding Induction Support Programme.
You will need to demonstrate your ability to provide for children’s learning and development, and our Childminding Induction Support Programme and Strong Foundations Pack can provide all the help you need to register and establish your new childminding service. The programme will also look at the business side of childminding, and how you will operate as a self-employed childminder.
In addition, if you are planning to deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) as a partner provider with your local authority, you will need to adhere to the National Standard. One of the criteria is that you will have completed induction training.
Q. How many children can I care for at one time?
Childminders normally care for a maximum of six children at any one time under the age of 16, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and of whom no more than one is under twelve months. You should also consider your own children, and any children in your household, and their ages – as they are always included within the maximum number of children you can care for at any one time.
Q. Can I become a childminder if I rent my home?
Yes, of course! However you will need to obtain written permission from your landlord, to ensure you are allowed to operate a childminding service from the premises, and have permission to do so. The written permission will be requested by the Care Inspectorate as part of the registration process.
Q. My home is quite small, and I don’t have a garden, is this ok?
Ultimately the decision as to whether your home is suitable to be a childminding setting is for the Care Inspectorate to determine. However, it is important to bear in mind that they are simply looking for a typical home environment for your potential setting – they are not interested in your décor or whether you have lots of rooms to spare, or not if that is the case.
The unique nature of childminding is that it is a home-based, family-centred childcare service – and this comes in all shapes and sizes, whether it be a two-bedroom flat in an urban area, or a large farm in the countryside.
Having a small home shouldn’t be a barrier to becoming a childminder, and you don’t require lots of additional space. The Care Inspectorate will determine whether your home is suitable and will take this into account when deciding on the size and capacity of your future service.
In addition, having a garden is certainly a benefit for promoting outdoor play and learning; however, it is not essential. Provided you have and make use of outdoor space of some kind, whether it be a local park or nearby green space, this should be sufficient.
Q. Do I need a dedicated playroom in my house for childminding?
There is no requirement for you to have a dedicated playroom or specific area for your childminding service. The unique nature of childminding is that it is home-based childcare.
You will be providing childcare from a typical family home, that is both nurturing and safe, and likely to be similar to the child’s own home. Many families find this home-based setting beneficial for children, especially when they are settling-in and transitioning to a new environment.
If you do have a playroom, or a space that you wish to use specifically for childminding – this may be useful, but it is not essential nor necessary.
Regardless of whether you have a playroom or not, areas such as your living room, hallway, bathroom/toilet, kitchen, and garden (if available) will form your childminding setting. You may also decide that some areas are off limits, e.g., bedrooms or a formal dining room. This will all depend on your own home, which areas are suitable, and what space you want to open up to your minded children.
Q. Can I childminder from a community venue?
The specific unique nature of childminding is that it is home-based – and as a childminder, you will be providing childcare from a typical family home that is both nurturing and safe, and likely to be similar to the child’s own home.
If you plan to provide a childcare service from a community venue, or another venue that is not a home – we would advise that you speak to the Care Inspectorate in advance and before you begin the registration process. This is because your chosen venue, or type of setting, is unlikely be classified as childminding, and you may need to register as a different form of childcare.
Q. Can I become a childminder if I have pets?
Yes, of course! Many childminders have pets, and they are very much part of the family – and are certainly not a barrier to your childminding service. As your service is home-based, you may also have a pet in your family.
Childminders often observe that children find it easy to relate to animals, and they offer a further learning opportunity that children find fun and engaging. Children learn how to care for the animal, and it encourages them to take responsibility, become involved in the care of their own pets, and develop an understanding of risk and how to keep safe.
The Care Inspectorate has published a guide to help you learn more about the benefits of pets within care settings called
Animal Magic that includes a childminding-specific feature.
Whilst pets can bring many positive benefits to your childminding service, there are important things to think about regarding pets and keeping children safe within your childminding setting. There are considerations to make and things to be aware of, and these are covered in detail within our Strong Foundations pack, which you will be able to access when you sign up for our
Childminding Induction Support Programme.