Childminder

What is the work like?

Childminders look after children, usually while the parents or carers are at work. They are far more than babysitters; their role involves care, education and helping children develop.

Childminders make sure the children they are looking after have the chance to take part in activities that stimulate them and are appropriate for their age. Those caring for children under five have to provide play-based learning for them in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which sets out a curriculum and standards for children from birth to five years old.

Childminders are usually self-employed and work from their own homes. There are laws governing how many children a childminder can care for at one time. They can look after up to six children under eight years old, of which no more than three can be under the age of five. If they are caring for their own children, these are included within the limit of six.

The work can include:

• bathing, dressing, changing nappies and making up feeds
• providing meals and snacks, and involving children in choosing and preparing food
• leading fun and stimulating learning activities, such as drawing, painting or creative play
• observing children's development and planning activities to help them develop further
• supervising children on trips out to the park, library, baby gym or toddler group, for example
• taking older children to and from nursery, school, school club or playgroup
• discussing each child's changing needs with his or her parents or carers
• negotiating and drawing up care contracts with each set of parents or carers
• keeping financial records
• working with other childminders to organise group activities.

Childminders can provide parents' free entitlement to early years education when a child reaches three or four years old. They can only do this, though, if they are accredited by a recognised quality improvement network, such as a Children Come First childminding network.

Some childminders specialise in looking after children with special needs, such physical or learning disabilities.

Hours and environment

Childminders can set the times they work, although they obviously have to fit around their clients' needs. Most childminders work full time.

Those caring for children under school age generally look after them from about 8.00am until around 6.00pm. Children who go to school may need a childminder before and after school hours.

Some childminders look after children overnight or at weekends.

As most childminders work from home, they must make sure that it is a safe and hygienic environment for children. Some childminders may have to pay for adjustments to their homes, for example fitting safety gates.

A driving licence can be useful, for taking children to and from school or nursery.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on where people live.

• A childminder's earnings depend on the number of children they care for and the fees they negotiate. Average fees range from around £3 to £4.50 an hour for each child.
• A new childminder may earn from around £6,000 to £10,000 a year.
• Experienced childminders may earn around £15,000 a year.
• Top earnings, usually in London, may be up to around £20,000.

Because they are self-employed, childminders have to pay their own tax and insurance, as well as pay for training and equipment. Government grants are sometimes available to help with initial costs.

Registered childminders must also hold public liability insurance.

Skills and personal qualities

A childminder must be:

• responsible and trustworthy
• caring and patient
• good at relating to children
• calm and efficient in emergencies
• energetic
• creative
• good at juggling competing demands for attention
• open-minded and flexible about different ways of bringing up children, as well as having an appreciation of different cultures
• able to keep records and run the administrative side of the business
• aware of child protection and safety issues.

Interests

It is important to:

• like children and enjoy their company
• enjoy activities such as art or music, which they can share with the children.

Getting in

There are around 61,000 registered childminders in England and opportunities in all parts of the country. There is a shortage of registered childminders.

Entry routes

Childminders must be at least 18 and must be registered with Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) before they can care for children under eight.

There are no set qualifications, but young people considering a childcare career - and ultimately childminding - could get experience of working in a crèche, nursery or playgroup and study any of the following as a starting point:

• BTEC certificates and diplomas in children's care, learning and development
• The Diploma in society, health and development
• OCR entry level certificate in child development
• CACHE qualifications in childcare and education
• City & Guilds qualifications in early years foundation stage practice.

To become registered with Ofsted, childminders need to:

• attend a local childminding pre-registration briefing session, run by the local authority or the National Childminding Association (NCMA)
• complete and return an Ofsted application pack, which includes details of how to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure for the childminder and for anyone else in their home aged over 16
• undergo a registration visit to assess whether the childminder meets the welfare, learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• complete an introductory childminding training course and a first aid course
• pay an Ofsted registration fee.

The two registers maintained by Ofsted are:

• the Early Years Register, for childminders caring for children from birth to the August 31 after their fifth birthday
• the Ofsted Childcare Register, for childminders caring for children from the end of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) up to the age of eight.

Most childminders go on both registers, to give themselves the chance to care for all ages of children.

It may also be possible to prepare for work as a childminder by taking an Apprenticeship in children's care, learning and development.

Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide structured training with an employer and pay at least £95 a week. A recent survey found that the average wage for apprentices was £170 a week. Entry to Employment (e2e) can help to prepare those who are not yet ready for an Apprenticeship. In addition, Young Apprenticeships may be available for 14- to 16-year-olds. More information is available on the Apprenticeship page on this website, from a Connexions personal adviser or at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Training

Childminders need to attend an introductory course as part of their registration.

The joint NCMA and Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) accredited course Introduction to Childcare Practice (Home-based) is the first unit of the nationally accredited Diploma in Home-based Childcare, specifically written for childminders and nannies. There are four further units.

Childminders may also choose to take specialised qualifications in areas such as playwork, early years education, working with children with special needs, first aid and health and safety. There are also NVQs at levels 2 to 5 in children's care, learning and development.

Qualifications can usually be studied by distance learning or through local colleges and training providers.

Getting on

Some childminders go on to become childminding network co-ordinators, supporting other childminders in their area. Others become tutors and train new applicants.

With experience and further training, childminders may go on to work as teaching assistants or run after-school and holiday clubs.

Further information

Childcare Link, 0800 234 6346. Website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), 2nd Floor, City Exchange, 11 Albion Street, Leeds LS1 5ES. 0113 244 6311. Website: www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE), Apex House, 81 Camp Road, St Albans AL1 5GB. 0845 3472123. Website: www.cache.org.uk

National Childminding Association (NCMA), Royal Court, 81 Tweedy Road, Bromley BR1 1TG. 0800 169 4486. Website: www.ncma.org.uk

Ofsted, Royal Exchange Buildings, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7LA. 08456 404040. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

Sure Start. 0870 0002288. Website: www.childcarecareers.gov.uk and www.surestart.gov.uk

Further reading

Become a Registered Childminder - NCMA

How to be an Outstanding Childminder - Continuum

The Inside Guide to Being a Childminder - Continuum

Real Life Guides: Childcare - Trotman

Registered Childminding: the Secrets of Success - T-Squared

So You Want to Work: With Children - Trotman

Magazines/journals

Child Care - www.professionalchildcare.co.uk

Early Years magazine - Sure Start

Nursery Education Plus - Scholastic

(Some may be priced)

July 2009

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