Children's
& Young People's Services
Extended Services In and Around Schools
Childminders
Who is a childminder?
A childminder is a person who looks after your child in the childminders own home. All childminders on the London Borough of Bexley FIS database are registered with Ofsted to care for children aged under eight years in their own home. Childminders may also care for older children but currently the law does not require them to register for this. They may, however, choose to register voluntarily. They are usually willing to work all year round, however they may require a period of paid leave. Most childminders will expect you to gradually settle your child in and will require some payment for this period.
What do childminders provide?
Childminders provide full time or part time day care for children. Childminders may provide a wide range of activities for children including taking them to a selection of groups, such as carer and toddler groups and local libraries. Most childminders will provide meals and are willing to cater for special dietary requirements. Your own child’s needs should be discussed with the childminder at your first meeting. All childminders are encouraged to use a contract. The contract will be signed and dated by both the childminder and the family using the service. Childminders are also required to take out public liability insurance and business insurance if they use their car for childminding purposes.
Ages catered for
A childminder can care for up to six children at any one time. This number varies according to each childminder’s Ofsted registration, and will include any of the childminders own children aged under eight years. If registered for six children, they can only care for three children under the age of five and one child under the age of one, at any one time.
The exception to this is to care for twins or siblings, but a variation from Ofsted has to be agreed. Additional children aged over eight will also be taken into consideration when deciding on how many children a childminder may care for and childminders will have to demonstrate they can meet the varying needs of all children being cared for.
Registration
All childminders must be registered with Ofsted, who under the terms of The 1989 Children’s Act, must ensure the suitability of any childminder registered with them. This involves assessing the childminder’s ability to meet the needs of young children. Police checks (now issued by the criminal records bureau [CRB]) and health and safety checks of the home environment are also carried out prior to registration. All childminders are subject to inspections by Ofsted. If you have a concern or a complaint concerning a registered childminder in Bexley you should ring Ofsted on 08456 40 40 40.
Qualifications
All childminders in Bexley are required to have a paediatric first aid certificate, which is mandatory and all new childminders must undertake pre-registration training. This includes keeping children safe and healthy, routines, providing play, parent/family partnership, behaviour management, inclusion, child protection, and starting a business. Bexley also offers a free training programme on many childcare topics and free level 3 qualifications such as Diploma in Home-based Childcare (DHC) or NVQs in childcare. Most childminders also have practical experience of looking after and raising their own children and some may have already undergone additional training in childcare.
Cost/Allocation of places
Childminders are entitled to fix their own fees and these vary. Most charges start from approximately £150 - £200 per week for a full time place. Some childminders charge by the hour and you may find that they charge a higher rate for part time places. Most childminders do not hold waiting lists; so will advertise their vacancies with the FIS as soon as they arise. If your child or children are unable to take up the place immediately, a retainer fee is likely to be charged. Holiday pay and retainer fees are negotiated when a contract is signed.
The childcare element of the Working Tax Credit (WTC) is available to parents using registered or approved childcare. For further information contact HM Revenue & Customs help desk on 0845 300 3900 or visit  www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
What support is available to childminders?
The National Childminding Association (NCMA) offers a wide range of services to childminders and parents regarding issues such as insurance and training. They operate both locally and nationally. Childminders may attend a variety of groups such as carer and toddler groups and playgroups; all of which enable them to meet with other carers, which in turn, provides them with support. Within Bexley there is a childminding team who will be able to assist you with any concerns or queries you may have.
So how do I select a childminder?
Issues to consider
- Be clear about what type of care you want.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask.
- Start looking for a childminder well in advance.
- Make second visits to the people you liked.
- Take your child with you to see how they get on.
- Contact other parents as referees.
- Be prepared to spend time settling your child in.
Questions you may wish to ask a childminder
- Can I see a copy of your Ofsted registration and insurance certificates?
- What recent training or experience do you have?
- What are your normal hours of work?
- What are your fees?
- Are meals included in the fees?
- What charges are made for absence/sickness?
- What arrangements are made for holidays?
- Do you cover additional hours? At what rate?
- Do you have emergency arrangements with another childminder?
- How many other children do you look after and what are their ages?
- What is your routine and what activities do you provide for the children?
- How do you manage difficult behaviour?
- Who else will be in the house whilst you are minding?
- Do you drive?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have a garden?
- Do you have pets?
- How can I reserve a place?
Our information officers will endeavour to provide you with a list of childminders who meet your requirements and have current vacancies.
If you would like further information on childminders or to discuss this form of provision in more detail, please contact the FIS on:
Useful contacts
- Extended Services Project Officers
- 020 8836 8218 / 020 8836 8166 / 020 8836 8315 / 020 8836 8197
/ 020 8836 8263
- Organisational Development Unit
- 020 8836 8064
- National Childminding Association
- Telephone: 0845 880 0043
- Royal Court, 81 Tweedy Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1TW
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