Working as a childminder
Childminders work in their own home, set their own times and days, and work across a range of ages (children aged 0-10+ years). Childminders are required to register with Ofsted and comply with the minimum satisfactory standards required. Childminders are inspected by Ofsted on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting these minimum satisfactory standards.
Childminders in Southampton are offered a package of support to help them meet satisfactory standards and to raise the level of their provision to good or outstanding practice.
What would I be doing?
As a childminder in Southampton you would be caring for babies, children or young people on a daily or weekly basis. You will also be providing play opportunities that develop and engage the child through visits to the park, the local childminder drop-in, and possibly gym tots and other pre-school activities.
You would be keeping detailed records and observations of the child's progress if they are aged 0-5 years, and observations of children over 5.
You may also become a member of the local NCMA Childminding network and be able to offer parents an alternative way of accessing the free nursery entitlement for children from the term after their 3rd birthday.
What qualifications do I need?
To begin your career as a professional childminder in Southampton we recommend that you follow this pathway:
- attend a free Childminder Briefing session to discover what Childminding is all about
- undertake the free Pre-registration Childminding Course we offer and register with Ofsted
- following successful Ofsted registration and having started working with children, undertake a level 3 Diploma for the Childrens and Young People's Workforce
Briefing and course details, along with the booking form, are available from our learning and development pages. See the Learning and Development Brochure 2011-12 for upcoming dates.
If you want to speak to an advisor, staff at the Children and Young People's Information Service will take your details and ask someone to call you back within 5 working days - call 0800 169 8833, or 023 8083 3014.
What fees do I charge parents?
As a professional Childminder running your own business, you will be in control of the fees you charge parents. The Children and Young People's Information service will be able to give you information on the range of charges being levied by other childminders in your area.
