Tracking your childminder registration

Registering as a childminder involves a lot of steps. The tracker turns them into four phases of tasks you can tick off, so you always know what's done and what's next.

1. Set your application status

Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen, find Application Status, and choose the stage that matches you. Choose Onboarding if you're just starting. Tap Save Profile.

Your status tells KinderStart where you are, and unlocks the tracker.

2. Open the tracker

Open the Tracker tab. Registration is split into four phases:

1. Foundations & Legalities: eligibility, introductory training, a 12-hour paediatric first aid course, your enhanced DBS check (or PVG in Scotland), health declaration, two references, and safeguarding training.
2. The Paperwork & Policies: safeguarding and child protection, complaints, missing and uncollected child policies, "All About Me" forms, and medication and accident forms.
3. Preparing Your Home & Practice: room-by-room risk assessments, registering as self-employed with HMRC, and fire safety equipment.
4. The Official Application & Inspection: submitting your application, your registration visit and certificate, public liability insurance, registering with the ICO, and registering as a food business if you provide food.

3. Work through a task

Tap a task to open it. It explains what the task involves and has space to upload the documents that prove it's done.

When you've finished, mark it Complete and close it. The phase's progress updates, so you can see what's left.

4. Keep your certificates in My Passport

From your profile, My Passport is where you store the certificates the tracker asks for, like your DBS, paediatric first aid and qualifications. Tap +, choose a certificate type, enter the reference number and dates, and upload a copy if you have one.

Each certificate shows Valid, Expiring (within 30 days) or Expired. If you choose to share them, parents can see them in the parent app.

Application Passport, also on your profile, is a quick-reference sheet for the numbers forms keep asking for: insurance policy number, GP details, local authority contact and your references. Tap a field to copy it.

After you apply

Once you've submitted your application, your Home screen tracks the next steps and adds Inspection Practice, a bank of practice questions to help you prepare for your registration visit. These are practice scenarios, not official inspection questions.

What to do next

• Adding your policies and risk assessment: write the policies Phase 2 asks for.
• Setting up your business: your business details, billing and term dates.