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. Childminders often pick up and drop off school age children and also provide a fun and safe place for them in school holidays.

You must have a good knowledge of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. You must have a good understanding of safeguarding and have the welfare of children as your highest priority. For young children you will carry out observations and assessments of the child's progress if they are aged 0-5 years.

Register for government funding for early years children. Parents of school age children can also use Tax Free Childcare and other support to help pay for your service.

View more information on Childcare Choices.

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.

• Read the Ofsted Presentation for people wishing to become childminders
• Read the Government information on registering as a childminder
• We recommend you complete a Pre-registration Childminding Course, you must do an approved 12-hour paediatric first aid course, and obtain knowledge of local safeguarding procedures
• Childminders must have completed training which helps them to understand and implement the EYFS before they can register with Ofsted or a childminder agency. Examples of training providers below are not a recommendation, but have provided suitable training for childminders in the past:
  
  • PACEY
  • Childminding UK
  • Child Care Home Practitioners Level 3
• Learn about the local Southampton Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures
• You must undertake continuous professional development throughout your childminding work. The Early Years and Childcare team can advise with this
• Contact the Southampton Family Information Service FIS@southampton.gov.uk for more information. Please make sure you include your full name, address, postcode, email (and phone contact details if needed)