Requirements
To become a childminder in the borough, you must:
- be a resident of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- have the right to work in the UK
- have a valid National Insurance number
- have an email address and be able to access the internet on a regular basis
It is highly recommended that you hold a UK level 2 qualification or certificate in English. If you don't, you may wish to contact The Adult College, which offers a range of English courses and will be able to assess your skills.
Ofsted Registration Guidance
Ofsted has guidance on becoming a successful childminder.
Ofsted childminding guidance - a passion to be outstanding (PDF, 466.00 KB)
Decide which Ofsted register you wish to register on - either the Early Years Register, the Childcare Register, or both:
- Become a childminder
- Childminder and childcare providers: register with Ofsted
- Early Years Foundation Stage
Early years register briefing sessions
It is highly recommended that Barking and Dagenham applicants registering on the early years register attend a briefing session to start this process.
The Briefing Session covers:
- what it is like to be a childminder in Barking and Dagenham
- sustainability and business planning
- the welfare requirements
- childminder training
Apply to attend a briefing session
Training
You must complete the following courses to register:
- Childminder Training – for Early Years applicants
- Paediatric First Aid (must be a 12 hour course, approved by us)
Ofsted will require evidence that you have completed these.
Training providers
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham takes no responsibility for any concerns you may have if you choose to use any of the training providers listed below. This is not an exhaustive list and other training providers are available. All training must meet the borough and Ofsted registration requirements.
Childminder Training for Early Years applicants
Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY)
PACEY website.training@pacey.org.uk
0300 003 0006
Sue Overton Applied Practice
SOAP website.info@soap.media
01374 830034
Paediatric First Aid Training
This must be a 12 hour course approved by us.
PIP Professional Training & Services
PIP Services website. harry@piptfw.co.uk
0800 111 6303
Frinton Training
Frinton Training website.info@frintontraining.co.uk
01255 678470
British Red Cross
British Red Cross - First aid training websitefirstaidtraining@redcross.org.uk
St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance - First aid training website. london-region@sja.org.uk
020 7258 7014
First Aid Direct
The Health and Safety & Hygiene Training Consultancy
HSH - Training, audit and consultancy website. training@hshtc.com
03333 059688
Food and Hygiene Training
PIP Services Ltd
PIP Services website. enquiries@piptfw.co.uk
020 8598 4250
The Health and Safety & Hygiene Training Consultancy
HSH - Training, audit and consultancy website. training@hshtc.com
03333 059688
Self employment advice
Tax and National Insurance
HMRC has tax advice for childminders.
Business planning
Gov.uk has advice on writing a business plan.
Planning permission
You may not need planning permission to work from home however if you are employing an assistant to help care for more children this may have an effect on your home. This could be an increase in traffic or people visiting. If the overall use of your property is changing as a result of your business you may apply to your council for a certificate of lawful use for the proposed activity, to confirm it is not a change of use. Contact Building and Control Services for more advice.
Building Control Services
020 8227 3933
BuildingControl@befirst.london
After registration is complete
When your registration is complete, Ofsted will notify our Family Information Service. You will then be allocated an early years development officer who will arrange to visit you to discuss the support available to registered childminders in the borough.