Safer Recruitment for Childminders: Hiring Your First Assistant

When you transition from being a solo childminder to an employer, you take on a critical new responsibility: Safer Recruitment. This isn't just HR best practice; following the September 2025 EYFS safeguarding reforms, strict safer recruitment procedures are a statutory requirement.

In 2026, the 'common sense' approach is no longer enough. Ofsted expects a formal, documented process for every adult who joins your setting, and your safeguarding policy must explicitly include your procedures for ensuring only suitable individuals are recruited.

1. Professional References (Now Mandatory)

The latest EYFS framework makes it a legal requirement to obtain and verify references before a new staff member begins work. Ofsted is very clear on what is acceptable:

• You must not accept 'open' references (e.g., 'To whom it may concern').
• References cannot be accepted from family members.
• You must obtain verification of the individual's most recent relevant period of employment.
• If they have worked with children before, you must secure a reference from the relevant employer from the last time they did so.

2. The DBS Mandate

Every assistant must have an Enhanced DBS check with barred lists. We strongly recommend that all assistants join the DBS Update Service immediately upon application. This allows you to perform an instant, free-of-charge check on their status at any time, ensuring their clearance remains current without the cost and delay of applying for a new certificate every few years.

3. Reporting to Ofsted

You must notify Ofsted within 14 days of any new person aged 16 or over who works or lives on the premises. This is now done via the digital 'Report new people in the setting' service on GOV.UK, which has fully replaced the legacy EY2 and EY3 forms.

Crucially, an assistant must not be counted in your staff-to-child ratios or left unsupervised with children until you have received both a completed DBS check and a formal 'suitability letter' from Ofsted.

4. Safeguarding Training & Annex C

Suitability is not just about background checks; it's about current knowledge. Under the updated EYFS, childminders must ensure all assistants are trained in line with the specific criteria set out in Annex C.

• This training must cover your setting's safeguarding policies, identifying signs of abuse, and your whistleblowing procedures.
• By law, this safeguarding training must now be renewed at least every two years.

How KinderStart Keeps You Compliant

Keeping track of reference verifications, DBS update checks, and two-year training expiries can be overwhelming. KinderStart's Assistant Management Suite automates this entirely:

• Vetting Checklists: Step-by-step digital logs to ensure you never miss an EYFS-mandated reference check.
• Expiry Alerts: Automated push notifications when your assistant's DBS or Annex C safeguarding training is due for renewal.
• Secure Document Vault: Store suitability letters and references securely in the cloud, ready to show your inspector at a moment's notice.

Related Articles in this Series:

• [/blog/how-to-hire-childminder-assistant-uk]
• [/blog/ofsted-2-hour-rule-assistants]
• [/guides/safeguarding-documentation-guide-uk-2026]
• [/resources/safer-recruitment-checklist]