Childminder Sickness Policy & Assistant Cover Guide: Contracts, Fees & 2026 EYFS Rules

Navigating Sickness Policies and Assistant Cover as a UK Childminder

When a childminder falls ill or a child arrives with a contagious illness, knowing your legal boundaries, contract rights, and statutory obligations is essential. This guide breaks down parent fee structures during practitioner illness, assistant sole care rules under Ofsted's 2-hour provision, and the 2026 EYFS statutory requirements for following up on un-notified child absences.

TL;DR

• Childminder contracts define private fee terms for setting closures (standard industry practice is unpaid childminder sickness unless pre-agreed with parents).
• Sickness exclusion policies must align with official UKHSA guidance ("Health protection in children and young people settings"), including 48-hour exclusion for vomiting/diarrhoea.
• Ofsted's 2-Hour Assistant Rule permits assistants to care for children for up to 2 hours per day for planned or emergency cover with written parent permission.
• Assistants in sole care must have an enhanced DBS criminal records check and valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) coverage.
• EYFS Safeguarding rules mandate following up in a timely manner whenever a child is absent without notification from parents.
• KinderStart stores digital parent consents and attendance registers securely in your setting's mobile app.

What is the statutory childminder sickness policy under EYFS rules?

A statutory childminder sickness policy outlines procedures for managing ill or infectious children, setting notification steps, and emergency contact details. The EYFS framework requires childminders to take appropriate action for infectious illness, adhering to UKHSA guidance ("Health protection in children and young people settings") which recommends a 48-hour exclusion from the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.

Maintaining clear illness guidelines protects all children and families in your care. Your policy should reference UKHSA health protection standards for common early years illnesses:

• Vomiting & Diarrhoea: 48-hour exclusion period following the last episode of symptoms, per UKHSA health guidance.
• Fever (38°C or higher): Exclusion until temperature returns to normal without fever-reducing medication.
• Chickenpox: Exclusion until all blisters have fully scabbed over (typically 5 to 7 days).
• Infectious Rashes & Conjunctivitis: Medical guidance or practitioner judgment regarding cross-infection risks.

Do parents pay fees when a childminder is sick?

Parents typically do not pay fees when a childminder closes the setting due to personal illness, unless explicit paid sick leave terms are agreed in the signed parent contract. Private fee billing, sickness refunds, and deposit terms are private contractual agreements rather than statutory EYFS mandates, though organizations like PACEY provide standard template contracts.

Contractual fee structures depend on the private terms agreed upon during enrollment. Clear wording eliminates financial disputes during unexpected closures:

When can an assistant provide sole care for a childminder?

Registered assistants can provide sole care for up to 2 hours in a single day under EYFS rules for planned or emergency cover, provided parents/carers have given prior written permission, an adult with a valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate is on the premises, and enhanced DBS suitability checks are cleared.

The EYFS framework permits assistants to take sole care for routine, planned breaks as well as unexpected emergency cover under these statutory conditions:

1. Written Parent Permission: Written permission from parents or carers must be documented in advance.
2. Paediatric First Aid (PFA): An adult holding a valid PFA certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present.
3. Enhanced DBS Suitability: Anyone having unsupervised contact with children must have passed an enhanced criminal records (DBS) check.
4. 2-Hour Daily Cap: Sole care by an assistant is capped at a maximum of 2 hours in any single day.

What are the EYFS rules for un-notified child absence tracking?

The EYFS Safeguarding framework mandates that childminders must establish an attendance policy and follow up in a timely manner whenever a child is absent without prior notification from parents. If concerns persist or parents are unreachable, childminders must refer the matter to local children's social care services or the police.

Under updated safeguarding expectations, childminders must execute a clear absence follow-up process:

• Follow Up in a Timely Manner: Contact parents or alternative emergency contacts immediately if a child fails to arrive without prior notice.
• Log Absence Reasons: Record the reason for absence and follow-up communication in your digital attendance register.
• Escalate Welfare Concerns: If prolonged or un-notified absences raise safeguarding concerns, notify local children's social care or the police.

Manage Setting Policies Effortlessly with KinderStart

KinderStart provides UK childminders with digital contract management, automated attendance registers, and instant sickness logging. Protect your business income and remain 100% compliant with statutory EYFS safeguarding expectations.

Learn more and start your free trial at https://kinderstart.co.uk/features.