What is a childminder?
Registered childminders are childcare professionals who work in their own homes, providing childcare for up to six children at any one time aged from birth to 8 years old. Many children stay with the same childminder for years some well into secondary school.

Rather than being employed by parents, they negotiate a contract with parents for their service for which they charge a fee. Because they are usually self-employed,they take care of their own tax and national insurance contributions.

Childminders who care for children under-8's are required by law to be registered and inspected by Ofsted, and they and members of their family over the age of 16 must have a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Qualifications
All childminders must take an introductory course in home-based childcare and hold a paediatric first-aid certificate as part of their registration. For many childminders, these are the first steps on a longer training pathway even up to degree level. Most childminders already have hands on experience bringing up their own children which is the best qualification of all!

Why choose childminding?
Using childcare in a home environment can be more flexible than other forms of childcare. They must follow the same curriculum and have the same high standards of any other childcare provider.  Also, your children can enjoy real-life learning experiences like cooking, shopping, gardening, mealtimes and outings to the park and library.

School children get to spend time with their younger siblings after school. Childminders can be spontaneous, too - making the most of a sunny or unexpectedly snowy day as a great opportunity for outdoor play and learning.
Childminders are ideally placed for looking after disabled children, taking into account any special requirements. Also if your child is feeling tired or simply under the weather, they can just curl up and take it easy!