Resources Hub

Expert guides, templates, and essential tools designed by former teachers and long-term childminders.

Launch & Career

From first thoughts to registration visit. Everything you need.

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How to Become a Childminder

The ultimate step-by-step roadmap to registration and training in 2026.

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Roadmap

Registration Roadmap

Your step-by-step statutory roadmap to becoming a registered childminder.

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Startup Costs Guide

Understand the initial investment needed for equipment and training.

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Step-by-Step

Become a Childminder: 2026 Guide

The definitive step-by-step roadmap to Ofsted registration in 2026.

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Specialist

Non-Domestic Premises Guide

Statutory requirements for registering childminding without domestic premises.

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Accelerator

Registration Accelerator

The comprehensive hub for starting your business, from DBS to Health Forms.

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Template

Business Plan

Professional template to secure funding and launch your vision.

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Popular

Questions for Parents

The ultimate checklist of what to ask during your first meeting.

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Garden Room Guide

Advice for childminders planning to work from a garden studio.

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Growth

Hiring an Assistant

Ready to scale? Learn about ratios, PAYE, and contracts for staff.

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New Guide

Switch from Agency

Step-by-step guide to transitioning from a childminder agency to independent Ofsted registration.

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2026 Guide

App Selection Framework

The definitive 2026 checklist for choosing childminder software that meets MTD and EYFS mandates.

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Comparison

UK Childminder Apps (2026)

A transparent, objective comparison of the top UK childcare software platforms.

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Comparison

Switch from Legacy Software

Still using Baby's Days or Kinderly? See why so many are upgrading to the modern alternative.

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Garden Room Guide

Statutory requirements and planning for setting up in a garden room.

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Expert Insights

Expert analysis on the latest regulatory changes.

Compliance & Safeguarding

Master the EYFS Framework and stay compliant.

Essential

Ofsted Requirements

Master the EYFS Statutory Framework, including ratios and safeguarding.

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Live Tool

Ratio Checker

Interactive tool to check if your ratios meet EYFS mandates.

Launch Tool
Free AI Tool

Mock Inspection Simulator

Practise your inspection answers with our adaptive AI inspector.

Launch Tool

Safer Eating Guide

Vital information on choking hazards and preparation requirements.

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Household DBS

Do your family members need a check? A complete guide.

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Food Registration

How to register as a food business. Mandatory for all settings.

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Compliance

Ofsted Ratios & Space Guide

Staff:child ratios, 'Rising Fives,' and how to calculate your home's floor space capacity.

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New Guide

Ratios Explained (2026 Guide)

EYFS ratio rules, capacity limits, and how hiring assistants can help you scale.

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Essential

Safeguarding Documentation

Why accident records must be kept for 21 years and how to use digital body maps.

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Compliance

Contracts & Policies Guide

Navigate CMA compliance, funding rules, and the 21-year data retention rule.

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Free PDF

Free Forms & Templates

Download professional, Ofsted-compliant PDF templates for Invoices, Diaries, and Accidents.

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New 2026

Free 2026 Policy Templates

Download the "Mandatory 6" policies every childminder needs, updated for EYFS 2025/2026 statutory changes.

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Essential

EYFS Progress Check Guide

Complete guide to writing the statutory 2-Year Progress Check with professional examples and templates.

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Free Download

All About Me Template

EYFS-compliant settling-in form to capture child starting points.

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Statutory

Assistant Hiring Checklist

Statutory safer recruitment steps for hiring assistants in 2026.

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Hiring an Assistant

The complete guide to scaling your business with staff.

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Money & Tax

Maximise your earnings with expert tax guides.

New Tool

Funding Calculator

Calculate earnings when mixing funded hours with private fees.

Launch Tool
2026 Mandate

Invoicing Funded Hours

The complete guide to the 2026 itemisation mandate, stretched funding, and compliant invoices.

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2026 Mandate

Invoicing & Tax Software

Master invoicing, funding tracking, and tax software compliance for the 2026 mandates.

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Free Tool

Stretched Funding Calculator

Free calculator and guide: stretch 15/30 hours over 48-52 weeks with compliance tips and legal guidance.

Launch Tool
Essential

Stretched Funding Guide

The exact formula for stretching 15 and 30 hours funding over 51 weeks.

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Compliance

MTD Roadmap 2026

£50k/£30k thresholds, quarterly deadlines, and simplified expenses withdrawal.

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New Guide

Accountant Specialist Guide

Learn why specialist knowledge of BIM52751 and MTD is vital for your setting.

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2026 Mandate

MTD Software Guide

The definitive guide to HMRC-compatible software for the 2026 mandate.

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Statutory

MTD Compliance Guide

HMRC rules for digital record keeping and quarterly reporting in 2026.

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Tax Saving

Expenses Guide

Allowable business expenses for childminders to save on tax.

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Checklist

Ultimate Expenses Checklist

Stop overpaying tax. The A-Z checklist of everything you can claim in 2026.

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Statutory

Consumables & Invoicing

Expert guide on the 2026 itemisation mandate for funded hours.

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2026 Updated

Tax Return Guide

Simplifying Self Assessment. Deadlines and how to file online.

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Consumables Guide

How to fairly charge for food and trips without breaking rules.

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Tool

Attendance Log

Generate digital registers and track children's hours effortlessly.

Launch Tool

Agency vs Ofsted

An objective economic comparison of independent registration vs joining a childminder agency.

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Regional Support

Localised guidance, rate benchmarking, and community hubs.

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KinderStart strives for accuracy. Competitor features and pricing comparisons are based on publicly available information as of May 2026. Details are subject to change by respective providers.

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