Becoming a childminder
Information and support for those interested in becoming a registered child-minder and those who are already registered.
Becoming a child-minder
The Childcare Act 2006 requires local authorities to secure sufficient childcare provision for the needs of working parents in their area for children up to the age of 14 (or 17 for disabled children).
If you wish to register as a child-minder, please call Elizabeth Freer, the childminding business support officer on 020 8496 3577 who can:
- Advise you about demand in your area - we are currently only recruiting in Walthamstow and in certain areas in Leytonstone
- Signpost you to the Local Authority approved training
- Tell you about the support available
Training consists of three courses and costs approx. £230 in total. It lasts for three months. In order to attend the training, you will need to have a certain level of literacy, so there will be a literacy assessment. You will be required to reach a minimum of Level 1. We will signpost you to ESOL classes if we feel you would benefit.
Once your training is complete, we will start your registration with Ofsted and support you through the registration process and beyond. Registration can take up to six months, although 8-12 weeks is the norm. Please be aware that Ofsted will ask you for proof that you have done a Local Authority approved course when they visit you, and we give them the names of child-minders who have not complied with this.
Before deciding whether childminding is the career for you, please read the EYFS Framework which can be downloaded from www.foundationyears.org.uk. This framework covers all the legal, statutory obligations you will have as a childminder, including the policies and procedures you will need to put in place and adhere to.
For further information, please contact us on 020 8496 3577 or email elizabeth.freer@walthamforest.gov.uk.
