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Become a childminder or childcare provider

If you're thinking of registering as a childminder or as a home child carer (nanny) you may be interested in attending our free childcare briefing session. It'll help you decide whether this is the right role for you and learn more about the registration process.


The childcare briefing session covers:

  • the role and responsibilities of a childminder
  • registration requirements and ratios
  • key documents
  • Ofsted's role
  • the registration process
  • start-up costs
  • our support

For more information or to book your place on the childcare briefing session email cs.eys@derbyshire.gov.uk

There's registration guidance for childminders, nannies, nurseries and people providing other childcare on when and if you need to register with Ofsted, the process, fees and requirements.

You can:

Start-up grants for childminders

The Childminder Start-up Grant Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme will support new childminders by providing them with grant funding, worth £7.2 million over the next 2 financial years, helping childminders with the cost of setting up their own businesses.

The childminder start-up grant scheme will be available to all new childminders who have completed their registration on or after 15 March 2023. Individuals who have previously been registered as childminders and wish to re-register into the sector may also apply for the scheme. There must be at least a 12-month gap between the date of their previous registration being cancelled and their new registration being finalised.

The DfE will offer £600 to new childminders registering with Ofsted, and £1,200 to new childminders registering with a childminder agency. Childminders must apply for the grant within 2 months of registering as a childminder, or within 2 months of the scheme launching.

Living in rented property

If you live in rented property, whether privately or council owned, you'll need your landlord's or leaseholder's written permission to run a business from their premises.

Childcare and the law

All registered childcare providers must follow any relevant legislation, including laws about health and safety, disability discrimination, food hygiene, fire and planning requirements.

Running a childcare business

Starting and running a business is challenging. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) provide a wide range of help and support to help you run your business including videos, emails, e-learning, record keeping apps and online presentations (webinars).

Most childminders and home child carers will be self-employed and so must register with HMRC.

Business Smart is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and provides ideas, inspiration and tools to help new and existing childcare practitioners develop and maintain a sustainable business.

Other business support tools are also available. Find out more about early years business support.