Thinking about a new career or returning to work after maternity leave?
Childminding offers a flexible, family-friendly way to earn an income while caring for little ones - including your own - in a nurturing home environment.
Read this article to find out more.
Whenever we talk to our childminders about what they love most, the same things come up time and again - the flexibility to work around their family, the control of running a business from their own home, the independence of being their own boss, and the pride that comes with doing something meaningful.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The importance of a family-friendly role
- What parents should look for in a family friendly career
- How childminding provides freedom and flexibility for parents
- What makes a great childminder?
- How to get started as a childminder
- Common questions from those interested in childminding
The importance of a family-friendly role in 2025
Balancing work and family life has become a defining challenge for many parents in the UK today. Research from YouGov found that 70% of working parents in the UK value a culture that genuinely encourages work–life balance, and nearly 90% said that having access to flexible working arrangements would positively impact their wellbeing.
Parents are looking beyond the paycheck in 2025 - they want roles that not only allow them to spend meaningful time with their family but also provide the flexibility to attend children’s activities and, most importantly, be there when they are needed.
Traditional 9-5 careers often come with trade-offs: long hours, rigid shifts, and unexpected childcare disruptions that can leave parents feeling stressed at work or guilty about missing important family moments.
While many employers are making strides toward family-friendly practices, it is clear from research that many parents in the UK still feel the impact their job has on their family and life. At SCMA, we see this too. Many of our childminders switch from on-site jobs and office life to start a career that is truly designed to fit around their life - one that puts flexibility, control, and family first.
What parents should look for in a family-friendly career
A family-friendly career isn’t just one with flexi hours, a shorter commute or ‘work-from home’ days. It’s one that provides control, flexibility and peace of mind that you can reorder your day when you need to. More than just a job, it’s a role shaped for you.
Key factors to look for:
Flexibility: being able to have a career that doesn’t fit a rigid schedule, with hours that are
set to fit around your needs.
Control: choosing how many hours you work or how much work you take on, knowing you
can increase or decrease this as it suits you.
Support: providing a support system and community for parents or anyone else to feel
comfortable in their role.
While there are other options on the market – freelancing, tutoring, customer service roles -childminding is an ideal option if you enjoy working with children, engaging with others,and would like to run your own business with a network and community for support.
Your family, your schedule: How childminding makes it possible
As a childminder, you’re not just finding flexible work – you’re building your own business on your own terms. You decide your schedule, set your hours, and choose how much work you take on, while creating a routine that works for you and your family.
Don’t take our word for it. Hear from a registered childminder, Robyn, who praises her role for fitting round her family:
“I was looking for a change and a better work-life balance. Working in the showroom was great as it allowed me to work around my boy’s school pick-up times and nursery hours, but I really missed aspects of teaching, and started to wonder how I could get back into working with children but with more flexibility around hours.
I wanted something that could keep up the work-life balance we had with the boys, and I had already done some research about childminding so knew it was the best option! I knew it could give me what I wanted – to be there for my children before and after school and the opportunity to contribute to children’s learning and development.”
Want to hear more about how Robyn got into childminding? Read the full story here.
What makes a great childminder?
Aspiring childminders join us from a range of backgrounds, from marketing and law careers to hairdressing and teaching. No matter what your background, you’ll have transferable skills from previous roles, hobbies, interests as well as from being a parent that you can draw upon to help provide the best childminding experience. There is no set list, but we think that a professional career in childminding is particularly suited to people who are:
• Fun, nurturing, energetic and creative.
• Passionate about working with children and supporting their learning and
development.
• Committed to their own ongoing professional development to ensure the highest
quality of childcare is provided.
How to get started as a childminder
Getting started on your journey to becoming a childminder is easy with the support and guidance of Scottish Childminding Association. Simply visit our registration page, where you can read more about the steps involved, hear from childminders in Scotland and download our comprehensive guide with everything you need to know.
This article summed up
A career in childminding enables you to support children and families in your local area. It is a hugely rewarding role and an opportunity to make a difference to the families you support, as well as the wider community.
In addition to being a job that fits around your family, you will be joining a supportive community and it’s easy to get started on your childminding journey with *funding and support from the Scottish Childminding Association. You can check out our other blogs to learn everything you need to know about becoming a childminder and when you’re ready to make the leap you can follow the steps on our Get Started Page.
SCMA will be here to help, every step of the way.
*a package of funding and support is currently available in most local authority areas of Scotland – please check our website for details.
Still got questions? We’ve got answers!
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.
What type of homes are suitable to childmind from?
Childminders operate from a range of house types! As long as you provide a safe, nurturing place for children, your childminding business can operate from a detached or semi detached house, bungalow, flat or any other type of home.
You don’t need a garden either, childminders are great at getting out and about and using public spaces to ensure children spend that all-important time outside.
If you have any concerns about whether your home is suitable, it is also possible to make a ‘pre-application request’ to the Care Inspectorate before starting the application to register as a childminder. Your dedicated Workforce Officer can also help advise and support you on making this request.
Can I become a childminder if I rent my home?
Yes, you can childmind from a rented property, 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.
If you have any other questions about becoming a childminder, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions.