Launch Guide

How to Become a Childminder

A flexible, rewarding career working from home. Here is your complete roadmap to Ofsted registration in 2026.

Written byDaniel Broadhurst (Founder)|Published: 18 June 2026|

Ofsted Aligned

Quick Start: 2026 Childminder Registration Requirements

To register as a childminder in the UK under the 2026 Ofsted guidelines, you must complete four core statutory prerequisites:

Enhanced DBS Check: Required for yourself and all household members aged 16 or over (£40 + £13/year updates).
GP Health Declaration: Complete and sign the health declaration form, which is validated by your GP (costs £50 to £150).
Paediatric First Aid: A mandatory 12-hour training course (typically £80 to £150).
Registration Fees: Online application fee of £35 for the Early Years register, or £103 for the Childcare register (joining both is £35 total).

Are you eligible to become a childminder?

Verify these statutory baseline requirements before starting your application.

Age Requirement

You must be 18 years or older to register.

Right to Work

You must have the legal right to work in the UK.

DBS Check

You and all adults in your home must pass an enhanced criminal record check.

Health Suitability

You must be physically and mentally suitable to care for children.

The Process

What is the childminder registration process?

The 6-step roadmap from your initial application checks to your first day of trading.

DBS Checks

Apply for an enhanced DBS check for yourself and every person aged 16+ living in your home.

Join the DBS Update Service (£13/yr) within 30 days to keep your check valid without re-applying.

Health Declaration

Download the Ofsted Health Declaration Booklet. Complete your section and have your GP sign it.

The GP health signature requires up to 16 weeks processing time. Complete this step first to avoid application delays.

Essential Training

Complete a 12-hour Paediatric First Aid course and a "Common Core" childcare course.

A Level 2 Food Hygiene certification ensures compliance when preparing child meals, although only first-aid and common core training are statutory requirements.

The Application

Register online via Government Gateway. Joining both the Early Years and Childcare registers ensures the widest registration coverage.

The Early Years Register (under 5s) application fee is £35. The Childcare Register (ages 5-8) fee is £103, but is waived if you register for both simultaneously.

The Registration Visit

An Ofsted inspector will visit your home to check your ID, home safety, and ask safeguarding questions.

Insurance & Launch

Once certified, purchase Public Liability Insurance and inform your home/car insurance providers.

What are childminder startup costs?

Budget your initial investment. Aspiring childminders recover these costs in their first month of trading.

Need to track every item or project your exact cashflow? Use our interactive tool to calculate and customize your startup costs:

Open Interactive Startup Cost Calculator →

Item

Est. Cost

Ofsted Registration Fee

£35 (Early Years) or £103 (Childcare only)

DBS Check (per person)

£40 + £13/yr

GP Health Check

£50 - £150

First Aid Training

£80 - £150

Childcare Course

£50 - £200

Liability Insurance

£25 - £100/yr

Total Estimate

£300 - £700

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need qualifications to start?

You do not need a degree or a Level 3 Early Years qualification to register. You must complete a statutory Common Core training programme and a 12-hour Paediatric First Aid certification.

Can I childmind in a rented house?

Yes. You must obtain written permission from your landlord before Ofsted approval, which requires no structural modifications to the property.

Interactive Roadmap

Get a step-by-step checklist of every DBS, health check, and training course needed.

View Roadmap

Startup Budgeting

A full breakdown of every penny you'll spend (and how to claim it back later).

Try the Startup Calculator

Income Estimator

Calculate your childminder earnings based on your local funding rates and child occupancy.

Calculate Income

The road to registration starts here

Download our free interactive checklist to track your DBS, training, and Ofsted application steps as you complete them.

Start Free Roadmap

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