Become a childminder or nanny (England)
Register as a childminder based at home
You must register with Ofsted or a childminder agency to look after children in your own home or someone else鈥檚 home.
If you鈥檒l be based somewhere else and never in a home, you should register as a childminder based outside the home instead.
There鈥檚 a list of childminder agencies you can register with.
If a total of 5 or more people are working together to provide childcare, you鈥檒l need to register with Ofsted as a nursery or other childcare instead.
Registering as a childminder with Ofsted
You will need:
- an enhanced check with barred lists for home based workers from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- first aid training for the age group you will look after
- a health declaration booklet
- contact details for 2 references
- a certificate of good character from an embassy - if you鈥檝e lived abroad in the past 5 years
Ofsted will reject your application if you do not have the correct documents.
Checks on other people in your home
You must tell Ofsted about new people aged 16 or over in the home where childcare takes place. This applies if they:
- move in
- start working there
This includes a child of yours already living in the home who turns 16.
If anyone aged 16 or over lives with you or works in your home regularly, they鈥檒l need to get an enhanced DBS check with barred lists.
The type of check they get depends on their role. For example, your partner would need to get a different check from someone who works in your home, such as a cleaner.
They鈥檒l also need to get a certificate of good character from an embassy if they鈥檝e lived abroad in the last 5 years.
How long it takes
It usually takes up to 12 weeks to process your application.
Register online
It should take you about 30 minutes to fill in the form.