Steps to Becoming a Registered Childminder
1. Contact the Family Information Service (FIS)
Conatct FIS on 0800 073 1214 or fis@bathnes.gov.uk. They will
enrol you on a pre-registration briefing session, where you
will be given an Ofsted application pack and advised about the
registration process so it’s clear and easily understood. You’ll
also hear more about the work of a childminder and the government’s
national standards for under eight’s day care and childminding.
2. Fill in the Forms in the Pack
...and return them to your Ofsted regional centre. Their
address will be in the pack. Don’t worry if you don’t find filling
in forms easy – the Childminding Team will help you if you need
it.
3. Apply for the Essential Checks
These are explained in the pack, and include:
- A police check for yourself and anyone else in your home aged
16 or over, by the Criminal Records Bureau
- A health check for yourself, to make sure that you are
physically and mentally fit to care for children
- An Ofsted inspection of you and your home, when an Ofsted
inspector will ask you some questions based on the national
standards to make sure you’ll provide a suitable environment for
children. (Your local authority will give you a copy of the
national standards and explain if you have any queries about them.
They are also explained in your application pack).
The forms you fill in to ask for these checks are signed by
Ofsted’s inspectors during their visit to your home or at special
signing sessions (which you’ll find out about at the
pre-registration briefing sessions).
4. Contact the Childminding Team
The Team will then enrol you on an introductory
childminding course (Introducing Childminding Practice (ICP) or
equivalent) and First Aid training. You can do these either before
you start childminding or within six months of registering.
5. Pay a Fee to Register as a Childminder
The fee is paid to Ofsted. Then, once you’ve got your Ofsted
registration certificate (between three and six months while the
checks and inspector’s visit are made) and insurance, you can start
work as a registered childminder! It’s very straightforward.
6. Take Out Insurance
..to cover any
accidents that children in your care may have and any legal costs
you may face as a consequence. There’s a variety of organisations
that offer insurance.
The Childminding Team can be contacted on 01225 395256, Monday
to Friday between 9.30 - 10.30am and 12.45 - 2.45pm. At other
times you can leave a message and one of the team will return your
call as soon as possible.
