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Childminder

Alternative titles for this job include

Childminders care for babies, toddlers and children in their own home, supporting their learning and development.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a childminder

You can get into this job by:

  • registering with a Childminder Agency
  • registering with Ofsted

Other Routes

There are introduction to childminding briefings that cover everything you need to prepare to register as a childminder. Your local council can give you information on where to find one.

The aim is to make sure that you understand completely what is involved before making a decision about whether it's the right career for you.

More Information

Registration

  • If you want to care for children under 8 for more than 2 hours a day, you'll need to register with one of the following:

    For this, you'll usually need:

    • a home-based childcare course that covers the Early Years Foundation Stage framework
    • a paediatric first aid course
    • child protection training
    • a food safety qualification

    You may have to do a basic skills test to show that you have the minimum standard of English and maths needed to support the educational development of children in your care. You'll also need to pass an assessment of your home and any equipment you will use.

    Childminder agencies can provide pre-registration training to become a childminder. They also have information on registering and further training once you are a registered childminder.

    Your first step is to look at Ofsted's pre-registration briefing on becoming a childminder or contact a Childminder Agency (CMA).

Career tips

It's a good idea to do some research where you live to find out if there is a demand for childminders in your local area.

You may need to budget to pay for courses, including first aid, health and safety, and safeguarding. There is a fee for registering with Ofsted or a Childminding Agency and you may need to pay for a medical check.

As you'll be self-employed, you might find it useful to learn more about your responsibilities for tax and taking out insurance. You can get advice about this from GOV.UK.

Further information

You'll find more advice on careers, courses and registration from:

You can also learn more about childcare training routes on the early years career progression map.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you will:

  • provide inspirational learning activities
  • offer free play activities, both indoors and outside
  • plan, prepare and serve meals
  • change nappies and make up bottles for babies
  • take children on outings
  • take older children to and from playgroup or school
  • work with other local childcare professionals to support children's learning and development

Working environment

You could work from home.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could expand your business and take on a childcare assistant. You could also become a network co-ordinator, supporting other local childminders.

With further training you could become a tutor on childminding courses. You could also move into a related job like nursery worker, playworker, community play leader or teaching assistant.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a childminder right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Early Years - Planning for Childminding

  • Provider: CROYDON LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 22 January 2024
  • Location: Thornton Heath

T Level Education and Early Years - Education and Early Years

  • Provider: WILBERFORCE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 28 August 2024
  • Location: Hull
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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