Starting out on your childminder journey can often be confusing. There are so many things you need to do before completing the Ofsted application form and the often asked question is “can we have a checklist please?”
Each person’s journey is different, depending on previous experiences and careers, so a checklist isn’t always helpful. However, I thought a guide might be useful.
Before you complete the Ofsted registration form, you need to do the following:
Check you need to register.
Some forms of childcare don’t require you to register e.g. nanny, or you are related to all the children you intend to care for. You’ll find full details on this page Become a childminder or nanny (England): Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Do you have EYFS knowledge and experience?
It’s not a requirement to have specific EYFS training before registration but you must have a thorough knowledge of EYFS. You will be asked about the EYFS at your registration visit so make sure are confident in your knowledge and how you intend to put it into practice in your setting.
If you need a refresher course, have a look at PACEY’s short Delivering the EYFS for childminders course.
If you have little or no childcare knowledge or experience you might find the Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare (HBCA). Included in the HBCA training is 3 months PACEY membership. This gives you access to lots of resources, including free access to the out of hours practice advice service (phone and email) and lots of useful resources including sample policies.
12 hours paediatric first aid certificate
You must have a valid paediatric first aid certificate and this must be renewed every three years.
There is no specific training provider but ensure the training offered meets the criteria outlined in Annex A of EYFS (page 33 of EYFS January 2024)
PACEY work in partnership with Tigerlily and PACEY members get 10% discount.
Safeguarding training
You must have safeguarding training (EYFS statutory framework for childminders 3.27 page 19). This is included in the HBCA course or you could consider doing the PACEY Safeguarding children training course
Food and drink
The EYFS statutory framework for childminders (3.55 page 24) states “Childminders must be confident that they, or any assistants responsible for preparing and handling food are competent to do so.”
Ensure you are competent and can demonstrate this at your registration visit. Although a food hygiene certificate isn’t a requirement in a childminding setting, you might like to consider taking a food hygiene course. The PACEY Food safety and hygiene training course is accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health.
I suggest also downloading and using the Food standards agency Safer food better business for childminders pack.
DBS check
DBS checks can take anything from 10 days upwards – the government guidance says you should receive it within 6 weeks, so apply for your DBS early, perhaps while you are doing the required training.
You will need an enhanced DBS for yourself and any adults (persons aged 16 and above) living in your household. Full details can be found here DBS checks for childminders and childcare workers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Ensure you use this link https://www.ofsteddbsapplication.co.uk/ to apply and not the many listed on Google.
Ofsted recommend you sign up for the update service – this is because Ofsted will only accept a DBS within 3 months of the issue date. If there are any delays to your application, signing up to the update service means your DBS will not go “out of date”. It also means you aren’t running the risk of having to apply for another DBS (and paying the fees again)
Health declaration
You need to download the health declaration form from here Childcare and children’s social care health declaration forms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Complete the first section, then take it to your GP surgery for your doctor to complete the second section. Ask for the form to be returned to you – currently Ofsted are asking you to scan or photograph the completed form and email it to enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Your doctor will charge a fee to complete the form. There is no set fee, and the government guidance suggests it’s approximately £90.
Ofsted application form
Now you are ready to complete the Childminder Ofsted application form
Resources
- Become a childminder in England | PACEY
- Become a childminder or nanny (England): Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Safeguarding Children | PACEY
- Types of Child Abuse & How to Prevent Them | NSPCC
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Getting the right DBS when registering with Ofsted – Ofsted: early years (blog.gov.uk)
- Calling all early years applicants – Ofsted: early years (blog.gov.uk)
- Registering to become a childminder with Ofsted – what to expect – Ofsted: early years (blog.gov.uk)
- Ofsted and the early years – what you need to know | PACEY
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