Childminding
What is a Childminder?
- A childminder is registered with and inspected by OFSTED
- A childminder is registered to look after children on domestic premises for more than two hours per day
- Childminders provide childcare in a home based environment for children within a variety of ages linking to the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance - DCSF website [external website]
- Childminders are self employed childcare practitioners
- All childminders must have an up to date CRB check and meet the needs of the Early Years Foundation stage welfare requirements. Ofsted Website [external website]
- All childminders must complete the Diploma in Home-based Childcare Training and hold a current First Aid certificate
- Many childminders have other childcare qualifications and they are all able to access continuous training through the local authority
- Most childminders pick up and collect from local schools and nurseries
How do I choose a good Childminder?
You should feel happy and confident leaving your child
You know your child best – look for a childminder who you feel will be best suited to your child, yourself and your needs
The advantages of choosing a childminder:-
- Child will be in a home environment
- Childminders support families for years as they grow up, siblings are able to be cared for together
- Can offer flexible hours and personalised childcare
- Childminders can make use of local parks, toy libraries, drop in groups and children’s centres
- Parents who work are able to claim tax relief towards their childcare as childminders are registered with OFSTED
- Children have the chance to make good friends with the other children who go to their childminder and the family
For more details of childminders in your area contact Families Information Service on 0800 917 2121, email: fis@darlington.gov.uk or visit the national Childcarelink website [External Link]. For more information about childminders please see our Guide to Childminding [PDF document, 208kb]
We have this document available in the following languages - arabic, bengali, cantonese, english, hindi, polish, punjabi and urdu. For copies of these please contact the Families Information Service on 0800 917 2121, or email at : fis@darlington.gov.uk