registered childminder works in their own home, taking the wear and tear away from your own home, and is registered and inspected by Ofsted, demonstrating the quality and standards of their care. Ofsted ensures that every childminder meets the national standards such as: ensuring they're suitable to be with children checking that they provide a safe, stimulating and caring environment, giving children opportunities for learning and play making sure they work in partnership with parents and carers In addition, in order to become registered, a childminder must undertake police and health checks, have a regular inspection of their home and take an introductory childminding course and first aid training. Registered childminders can only look after a certain number of children at any one time, which allows them to focus more on each child. Many registered childminders provide flexible childcare including, early in the morning, late in the evening, overnight and at weekends. Additionally childminders can provide continuity of care and stability, often looking after children from babyhood through to school age. Childminders can often be flexible about the hours that they work and they should provide your child with lots of care, fun and learning. Childminders can make the most of local parks, playgrounds, toy libraries, drop-in groups and community centres. Often children have the chance to become good friends with the other children being minded. Plus points Your child will be in a home environment. Childminders can support families for years as children grow up. Flexible hours. Pick ups to and from school. Bond with other children. Lots of attention in a small group. How do I know my child will be safe and secure? Childminders must be registered before they begin to work with children. This means checks are carried out to make sure they are suitable to care for children. People over 16 years living in the childminder’s household are also police checked to make sure they have not carried out any offence against a child. A check on the childminder’s home is carried out as well to make sure it is safe and suitable for children. After a childminder is registered, regular inspections are carried out to make sure the childminder is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service. You can ask to see a childminder’s registration certificate and latest inspection report. It is illegal for an unregistered person to look after children for reward. How many children will there be with a childminder? Childminders can care for up to six children aged under eight, of whom no more than three must be aged under 5, at any one time. Normally, only one child may be under one year; however, a childminder may be registered to care for 2 children under 1 where they can demonstrate that they can meet and reconcile the varying needs of all children being cared for. Exceptions can be made for siblings and to provide continuity of care in circumstances approved by Ofsted. Childminders who work with an assistant may look after larger groups of children. What age range are the children with a childminder? Children can go to a childminder from a few months old right through until they reach secondary school. Although as previously mentioned childminders are only registered to look after children aged under 8. Childminders may also care for children between 8 and 14, as long as the number of older children looked after does not adversely affect the care provided for children under 8. When are childminders open? Childminders are self employed and so they decide on their working hours. Most childminders will provide you with childcare between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Some childminders will work early mornings, evenings and weekends as well. You will need to negotiate hours, terms and conditions with the childminder. What about part-time childcare? Many childminders are happy to provide families with part-time places for children. They often drop children off at school and pick them up. Childminders can also take your child to a playgroup or pre-school as part of the routine. How much does a childminder cost? Childminders set their charges themselves. Charges vary in different areas. There is no national rate. Daisychain provides care for children of all ages from birth click for National Standards for Under 8s |