New Govt Guidance (April 2026): 4 Big Changes for Childminders You Need to Know
Daniel Broadhurst (Founder)
Feb 9, 2026 • 6 min read
Key Takeaways
On February 9th, 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) released the updated Statutory Guidance for Early Education and Childcare. While government documents can be dry reading, this update contains specific clauses that are huge wins for independent childminders.
The guidance becomes valid on 1 April 2026, but it lays out rights and protections that you need to be aware of now to plan your business for the year ahead.
Here is the plain English breakdown of what has changed.
1. The Right to Monthly Payments
Cashflow has always been the biggest killer for childminding businesses. Historically, many Local Authorities (LAs) have paid funding termly or half-termly, leaving you to bridge the gap for weeks at a time.
The New Rule: Paragraph A4.10 states explicitly that local authorities must pay any early years providers who request it on a monthly basis. This aligns your funding income with your private fees, making your cashflow predictable.
2. The 2026 Ofsted 'Report Card' & 'Inclusion' Focus
The biggest shift in inspection culture is the move away from single-word judgements towards the Ofsted Report Card. For childminders, this means a broader evaluation across seven key areas, including a major new focus on Inclusion.
What this means for you: Inspectors are now looking specifically at how quickly and accurately you identify and support children's needs, especially those with SEND or from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. You need to demonstrate a positive safeguarding culture and a curriculum that is ambitious for every child.
3. Mandatory 30-Minute Planning Call
To ensure inspections are more transparent and less stressful, Ofsted has introduced a mandatory 30-minute Planning Call before the inspector arrives.
What to expect: During this call, the inspector will discuss your setting's specific context, your routines (especially for babies), and any unique challenges you face. This is your opportunity to set the scene and demonstrate your professional judgement before they even walk through the door.
4. More Funding Must Reach Your Pocket (The 97% Rule)
Local Authorities are now required to pass through a minimum of 97% of government funding to providers (up from 95%). This 2% shift across a year of 30-hour funded places should result in a tangible increase in your hourly rate for the 2026/27 financial year.
A Reminder: The "Invoicing" Rule is Now Live
According to paragraph A1.42, your invoices must itemise:
- Funded hours (listed as £0.00).
- Private hours (listed at your rate).
- Consumables/Food (listed as a separate line item).
If you are still sending a single "total" figure to parents, you are now non-compliant and risk having your funding withdrawn.
Need help with the paperwork?
Don't worry about calculating the 97% or fighting for monthly payments manually. KinderStart is already updated with the 2026 Statutory Frameworks. Our invoicing tool automatically splits your bills to meet the A1.42 requirement, and our funding reports give you the data you need to challenge your Local Authority if your rates look wrong.