Childminders look after your child along with other children in their own home.  They are registered with OFSTED and inspected every three years.

For a copy of the childminder vacancy list please contact the Family Information Service as below.

Childminders can often be flexible about the hours that they work and they should provide your child with lots of care, fun and learning.

Childminders can make the most of local parks, playgrounds, toy libraries, drop-in groups and community centres.  Often children have the chance to make good friends with the other children who go to their childminder.

Every childminder is different so look for someone who will suit your family.

Some childminders are part of a network; these childminders have agreed to meet set quality standards.

Plus points

  • Your child will be in a home environment.
  • Childminders can support families for years as children grow up.
  • Hours can be flexible.

How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

First of all you know your child best – look for a childminder you feel will be suitable for your child.

Childminders must be registered and inspected before they begin to work with children.  This means many checks including police and health checks are carried out to make sure they are suitable to care for children and their home is safe. Adults (16+) living or working in the childminder’s home are also police checked.

After a childminder is registered, every three years an inspection is carried out to make sure the childminder is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service.

You can ask to see a childminder’s registration certificate and latest inspection report.

It is illegal for an unregistered person to look after children in return for a reward.

An unregistered person who is a close relative of the child is not officially a childminder.

All childminders must have a safeguarding policy.

How many children will there be with a childminder?

Childminders can care for up to six children aged under eight, of whom no more than three may be aged under 5, at any one time. Only one child may be under one year, unless an exception is made by OFSTED, e.g. twins.

The childminder’s own children are taken into account and counted in these numbers.

Childminders who work with an assistant may look after larger groups of children.

What age range are the children with a childminder?

Children can go to a childminder from a few months old right through until they reach secondary school, although childminders are only registered to look after children aged under 8.  Childminders may also care for children between 8 and 14, as long as the number of older children looked after does not adversely affect the care provided for children under 8.

When are childminders open?

Childminders are self-employed and so they decide on their working hours.

Most childminders will provide you with childcare between the hours of 8am and 6pm.  Some childminders will work early mornings, evenings and weekends as well.  You will need to negotiate hours, terms and conditions with the childminder.

What about part-time childcare?

Many childminders are happy to provide families with part-time places for children.  They often drop children off at school and pick them up.

Childminders can also take your child to play group or pre-school as part of the routine.

How much does a childminder cost?

Childminders set their charges themselves.  Charges vary in different areas.

The average cost of a childminder in Waltham Forest is £150.00 - £175 per week, £30.00 per day.

Training?

All childminders are required to have completed a basic training course and a first aid course. Most go on to do further training.

The London Borough of Waltham Forest has over 250 registered childminders, however not every childminder gives us permission to advertise/promote their vacancies.  The list is made up of childminders belonging to the Vacancy Scheme set up by the Family Information Service.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information in the list is accurate, Waltham Forest’s Family Information Service cannot accept any responsibility of liability for any errors.  We strongly recommend that you check the details with each provider.  As we offer an impartial service we cannot recommend or endorse any of the childcare providers listed.

  1. The list gives the names of schools as landmarks local to the childminder, full home addresses cannot be used due to data protection. Download the map of the borough pdf logo [pdf] [748KB] with the location of primary schools.
  2. Childminder’s who are able to do school runs are indicated by yes above the schools close to the childminder’s home.
  3. When you have chosen your childminder it is important to negotiate and confirm a contractual agreement with them to ensure that arrangements for your child’s care are clearly agreed.

You may view childminder inspection reports at OFSTED web site or contact the childminder directly. If you experience any difficulties obtaining a report we will endeavour to get it for you.

Contact us

Waltham Forest Family Information Service
PO Box 416
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow, E17 5SD

Tel 020 8496 3000
Fax 020 8496 3599

Email wfcis@walthamforest.gov.uk