Starting a childcare business

What is a childminder?​

Childminders work from their own homes, caring for children of all ages. Most childminders offer a full menu of services including full day childcare for pre-school aged children, before and after school sessions and school holiday care.

Do I need to register with Ofsted?

You must register with Ofsted as a childminder if you intend to care for children:

• that you are not related to
• for more than 2 hours a day
• for pay or gain
• on domestic premises (normally your home)
• that are under 8 years of age

Ofsted have two registers – the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register

• You must register on the Early Years Register to look after children from birth up to the 31 August after their fifth birthday.
• You must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to look after children aged 5 to 7.
• You must register on both registers to look after children of all ages.
• You can register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to look after children over 8 or to look after children in their own home.
• If you want to register on the childcare register only please email eec@childrenfirstnorthamptonshire.co.uk

What will I be required to do to become an early years childminder?

Before you can register with Ofsted we recommend that you: 

• Apply to Northamptonshire County Council for an Information pack and Pathways to registration presentation which will provide information and guidance on how to register with Ofsted, business planning and how to provide high quality childcare

You will also need to:

• Complete training that enables you to understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Complete child protection training.
• Complete a 12 hour paediatric first aid course.
• Have a health check and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check - the health check only applies to those on the early years register.

What do I do next? 

1. Register your interest in becoming a childminder using the online form below. Once you have filled in the online form you will receive an information pack and a Pathways to registration presentation.

Register your interest

​What is a nanny and home childcarer?

A nanny (also known as a home childcarer) works in the home of the child they are caring for.  They can be responsible for all aspects of childare and can only work for up to 2 sets of parents.

Do I need to register with Ofsted?

Nannies don’t have to be registered or inspected by Ofsted. However there is a voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register where you can register as a nanny. This will help you show parents your commitment to the highest standards of care.

Before you are registered with Ofsted, you will need to:

• have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check

• complete a 12 hour paediatric first aid course. 

and have either one of the following:

• a level 2 qualification relevant to childcare
• training in the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge

You can find out more information about becoming a nanny on the Government website.

What is an early years provision?

An early years group provision is usually on non-domestic premises. The childcare is provided on premises which are not somebody’s home, for example in purpose-built premises, village halls or on school premises. This type of childcare includes nurseries and pre-schools

Do I need to register with Ofsted?

Early years providers caring for children from birth up to the 31 August after their fifth birthday must register on the Early Years Register unless they are exempt.

What do I need to have in place to set up a group provision?

To be registered on the Early Years Register you will need to:

• Meet all the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements of the statutory requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Ensure that every person looking after children on the premises where childcare is provided is suitable to look after young children, and that those living or working on the premises are suitable to be in regular contact with young children.

We recommend that you attend an 'Early Years - Pathways to registration' information session which gives an overview of many aspects relating to opening provision including:

• safeguarding
• inclusion
• the Early Years Foundation Stage
• premises
• Ofsted and the registration process
• sustainability
• business planning
• staff
• funding
• support available to you

What do I do next? 

1. Register your interest in starting an early years provision using the online form below:

Register your interest

2. Our early years team will then email you the dates of the next available session.

What is an out of school provision?

An out of school provision is any kind of childcare provision for school aged children that takes place on non domestic premises out of normal school hours.

Do I need to register with Ofsted?

You must register with Ofsted as a childcarer on non-domestic premises if you intend to set up an out of school provision. School managed provision does not need to register separately but must meet the same requirements from Ofsted.

Ofsted have two registers – the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.

• You must register on the Early Years Register to look after children from birth up to the 31 August after their fifth birthday.
• You must register on the Compulsory part of the Childcare Register to look after children aged 5 to 7 years.
• You can register on the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register to look after children 8 years and over.

What will I be required to do to set up an out of school provision?

Before you can register with Ofsted we recommend that you attend a 'Pathways to setting up an Out of School Club' session. This session provides information, support and guidance on topics such as:

• business planning
• Ofsted registration
• meeting the Welfare and Safeguarding requirements
• marketing and promotion
• inclusion
• premises
• high-quality play
• continual support 

You will also need to:

• Complete a 12 hour paediatric first aid course. 
• Have a health check and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check - the health check only applies to those on the early years register.
• Attend a child protection training course.
• Comply with relevant legislation if you are providing food.

What do I do next? 

Register your interest in starting an out of school provision using the online form below:

Register your interest

Further, and more detailed, information will be provided at the Pathways to setting up an Out of School Club session.