Working as a childminder

As a childminder in Southampton you may be caring for babies, children or young people on a daily or weekly basis. You will be providing play opportunities that develop and engage the younger children through activities in the home, visits to the park, the local childminder drop-in and other pre-school activities.

You must keep detailed records and observations of the child's progress if they are aged 0-5 years.

To begin your career as a professional childminder in Southampton we recommend that you follow this pathway:

• Read the Government pre-registration briefing
• Undertake a Pre-registration Childminding Course, together with a 12-hour paediatric first aid course, and obtain knowledge of local safeguarding procedures
• Following successful Ofsted registration and having started working with children, undertake continuous professional development

If you need any further information, you can contact the Southampton Family Information Service. Please make sure you include your full name, address, postcode, email and phone contact details.

As a professional childminder running your own business, you will be in control of the fees you charge parents. You can look at the records of childminders in your area in our directory to see the fees they charge, to give you a starting point.

Many childminders also offer the free nursery entitlement for children aged two, three and four and get funded by the local council for this.

• Read the Ofsted Presentation for people wishing to become childminders
• Read the Government information on registering as a childminder
• Fill out the Early Years and Childcare Development Team - Permission to Contact Form
• You will need to follow a relevant childminding course. These training providers are a few examples of those which may offer a suitable course.
  • PACEY
  • Childminding UK
  • Please note: You will need to verify with Ofsted that they recognise your chosen course as suitable to enable you to become an Ofsted Registered Childminder. It is important to do this prior to booking and attending any training. Southampton City Council is therefore unable to recommend or endorse any training provider for registering as a childminder
• Read about the local Southampton Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures

There are various training providers that include:

Online Courses

• Childminding UK
• National Extension College
• Open Study College

Children's Workforce Development

Children's Workforce Development, a team within Southampton City Council, offer a number of additional courses including:

• Safeguarding Children and Young People (Level two)
• Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Observation, Assessment and Planning
• 12-hour Paediatric First Aid
• Access to Food Hygiene courses

Colleges in the area may also run courses relevant to childminders.

This list is not exhaustive and may change without notice.

If you would like to get started straight away please email the Family Information Service at FIS@southampton.gov.uk. Please tell us you would like to become a childminder in Southampton and ensure you include your full name, address, postcode and your email and phone contact details.