You can register as a childminder with either:
- Ofsted
- a childminding agency
Registering with Ofsted means you meet national standards for childcare and can offer funded early education places.
This page explains how to register with Ofsted. If you want to join an agency, see the Childminder agencies: list of agencies - GOV.UK.
What is a childminder?
A childminder looks after children for money in their own home or someone else’s home.
You do not need to register with Ofsted if you care for children in their own home, unless you look after children from more than 2 families at the same time.
Some people do not need to register at all. See Registration exemptions - GOV.UK
Ways to work as a childminder
You can choose how and where you work.
Childminder on domestic premises
You can work alone or with up to 4 other childminders or assistants in a home where someone lives.
You must not work with more than 4 people at the same time.
Become a childminder or nanny (GOV.UK)
Childminder on both domestic and non-domestic premises
You can work part of the time in a home and part of the time in another place, like a church hall.
Applying to work some of the time on non-domestic premises (GOV.UK)
Childminder without domestic premises
You work only in a place that is not a home, like a village hall.
You cannot work in your own or anyone else’s home.
Register as a childminder without domestic premises (GOV.UK)
Childcare on domestic premises
If you work with 5 or more people, you must register as childcare on domestic premises.
Childcare on domestic premises (GOV.UK)
Want to find out more?
We run briefing sessions once a term.
To join a session, email prospective.childminders@surreycc.gov.uk