Parents

What is a Registered Childminder?

A Registered Childminder cares for children from babies up to the age of twelve years in their family home. Registration includes an assessment of the person’s suitability to care for children and the suitability of the premises.

This involves:

a pre-registration online course
a ‘fit person’ check, which includes a DBS check on the applicant and all members of the household over the age of sixteen years;
a health check and personal references on the applicant
a visit to the premises by the Manager of CEYs for an assessment of safety and hygiene of the premises, and suitability of the applicant to care for children
a second assessment by CEYs to ensure adequate age appropriate toys and equipment are available before children are cared for
obtaining public liability insurance before a certificate of registration is issued

Depending on a successful audit and the outcome of unannounced follow up and pop in visits, the Registered Childminder will be re-registered on an annual basis. The annual audit includes self evaluation and consultation with parents.

Using child care in a home environment can be more flexible than some other forms of child care. Also, the children can enjoy real-life learning experiences like cooking, shopping, gardening, mealtimes and outings to the park and library. The registered childminders can be spontaneous too an unexpected sunny or snowy day is a great opportunity for outdoor play and learning.

Why Choose a childminder?

Choosing the right childcare options for your child is an incredibly important decision, and a registered childminder may be the right choice for your family. Registered childminders offer low adult to child ratios, meaning your child has the best opportunity to build relationships with others and bond with their carer.

Your child will learn in a relaxed, home from home environment with bespoke opportunities for their development.

Registered childminders offer great flexibility for your requirements, and are paid by the hour not by the session. You will also receive a tax exemption form at the end of each year.

Some childminders offer pick ups and drop offs, as well as meals and snacks, making life easier for working parents.

Registered childminders are highly trained and regulated, insured, DBS checked , have a deep understanding of child development and are qualified first aiders.

As childminders are not tied down to one setting, your child will regularly have the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Trips to the beach, zoo, parks and woods become a part of your child’s routine.

Adult / Child Ratio Registered Childminder

Certain conditions apply when calculating the adult child ratio for registered childminder and this calculation must take into account the persons own children under the age of twelve years who are residing in the family home.

Taking this into account the adult child ratio for a Registered Childminder is:

no more than three children below the age of full time school entry can be cared for at any one time, which includes the registered childminders own children
if caring for a total of two children under the age of school entry, no more than one child must be below the age of twelve months
if caring for a total of three children under the age of school entry no more than one child must be under the age of twelve months
no more that six children under the age of twelve years must be cared for at any one time, and this includes no more than three children below the age of school entry

Personal Details on Each Child

Registered childminders must keep an individual record on each child containing the following information:

name by which the child is known, both first name and surname
date of birth, home address and telephone number
parent’s address and telephone number
an alternative contact name, address and telephone number in the case of emergencies
name of child’s health visitor
details of allergies and special dietary requirements
record of immunisation

Questions to ask a Registered Childminder at Interview

How long have you been a registered childminder?
Why did you decide to become a registered childminder?
Do you have any relevant qualifications?
What training have you done?
Do you belong to a registered childminding group or network?
How many other children do you look after, how old are they and how long have you been looking after them?
Do you have any children of your own?
Can you describe a typical registered childminder’s day or week?
How do you make sure you keep a good working relationship with parents?
What arrangements do you have for meals and snacks?
What do you consider unacceptable behaviour, and how do you deal with it?
What would you do in an emergency involving yourself or one of the children?
Do you ever take the children out in the car, and if so do you have suitable insurance cover, seat belts and car seats for this?
Do you and the children regularly go on outings during the week?
Do you have pets or a garden?
What do you do about holidays – both ours and yours?
How do you make sure the individual needs of each child are met?
Please show me your registration and insurance certificates
Can I see any references from parents?
Can I see your policies?

Parent and Registered Childminder Agreement

The JACC annually provide an agreement recommended for each of their members individual use. This should be completed by parent and childminder before childcare begins.

Registered Childminder Fees

The JACC conduct a survey of fees charged by it’s members.

For the most recent summary of it’s findings please click here.