Children are cared for in the home of the childminder. If your child is not at school, it means that s/he will be cared for by the same carer every day and therefore have consistency of care. Because childminders work from home, your child will be cared for in an environment that feels like your home.

Childminders provide a quality, professional childcare service within a home environment. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder as they can adapt the care required for each individual child and can promote all areas of a child’s development, which is also beneficial for parents of minded children.

All Registered Childminders are …

• Registered and inspected regularly by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Ofsted registers childminders to protect children, promote high quality childcare and to provide reassurance for parents.
  
• Authorised to care for a set number of children. This varies according to space in the childminder’s home and how many children of their own s/he has under 8 years old (The numbers a childminder is registered for are displayed on their certificate, so any parent can quickly see if someone is over-minding).
  
• Able to offer children learning and play opportunities that develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.
  
• Checked to ensure they are healthy and suitable people to care for children.
  
• Given a Criminal Records Bureau check and all persons over 16 years living in the childminder’s home are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check as well.
  
• Provided with training, as they must attend an Introduction to Childcare Practice course within 6 months of registering. This course is the first stage of the nationally recognised, CACHE (Council for Awards Children’s Care and Education) Diploma in Home-based Childcare.
  
• Subject to their premises being checked by Ofsted to make sure they are safe and secure. The environment must be warm and welcoming, with space organised and used to promote children’s development.
  
• Required to ensure that their equipment and toys are well-maintained and meet safety standards.
  
• Able to promote the good health of children. Every newly registered childminder must have completed a 12-hour First Aid course within 6 months of registering and all childminders must update this training every 3 years.
  
• Aware that, to satisfy the Childminding National Standards, they must promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice in their setting. It is good practice to have an Equal Opportunities Policy in place.
  
• Made aware that, the needs of all children in their care must be met, including any children with special needs.
  
• Given training on behaviour management. It is good practice to have a behaviour management policy in place. This policy should be agreed with parents, so that children may benefit from their behaviour being managed positively and consistently.
  
• Aware that it is of the utmost importance to work in partnership with parents and to share information about their children.
  
• Legally bound to comply with local child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and to ensure that these are put into practice.
  
• Able to demonstrate they can promote the welfare, care and learning of children by keeping records and policies and by having procedures in place that are shared and discussed with parents.