Childminder DBS Check: What It Involves and How Long It Takes
An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is one of the standard requirements for registering as a childminder in England, and it's usually the step that takes the longest to come back, which is exactly why it's worth understanding properly and starting early.
Note: Scotland uses a different system, the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme, rather than the DBS. See our Scotland registration guide if that applies to you.
What an enhanced DBS check actually checks
An enhanced DBS check for childcare purposes looks for:
- Convictions and cautions, both spent and unspent, that are relevant to working with children
- Information held by the police that isn't a conviction but is considered relevant to your suitability
- A check against the children's barred list, which specifically confirms you're not barred from working with children
This is a more thorough check than the "basic" or "standard" DBS checks used for many other jobs: it's specifically designed for roles involving regular, unsupervised contact with children.
Who else needs one
It's not just you. Anyone living in your household aged 16 or over will also need an enhanced DBS check before you can register, since they'll have some degree of access to your home while children are present. This includes partners, adult children, or any other adult household member. Plan for this early, since it effectively multiplies your total waiting time if multiple checks need to be processed.
Getting your paperwork ready while you wait? GoChildmind generates your parent contracts and policies from a single survey about your setting, so that part doesn't need to wait on your DBS.
How to apply
You'll typically apply through the DBS's online application process, or via your local authority or registration body if they coordinate this for childminders in your area. You'll need identity documents (usually including a passport or driving licence, plus proof of address), and you'll need to provide your address history for the past five years.
How long does it actually take?
DBS checks can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the volume of applications being processed and whether anything on your record needs further review. A few weeks is common for straightforward applications, but it's sensible to apply as early as possible in your registration journey rather than assuming it'll come back quickly. This is the single most common bottleneck people report when registering as a childminder.
What if something shows up on my check?
Having something on your DBS check doesn't automatically disqualify you: it depends on what it is, how relevant it is to working with children, and how long ago it happened. If you're concerned about something specific, it's worth discussing it directly with your local authority or Ofsted rather than assuming the worst, since these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Keeping your DBS check valid
DBS checks don't have a fixed official expiry date, but many regulators and agencies expect them to be reasonably current, and some childminders choose to join the DBS Update Service, which allows for an ongoing status check rather than needing a brand new application each time one is requested. Check what your specific regulator expects in terms of check recency.
Start this before anything else
If there's one piece of practical advice from this guide, it's this: submit your DBS application (and those of anyone else in your household) as early as possible in your registration journey, ideally before you've even finished your training courses. It's the step most likely to hold up your overall timeline, and there's no way to speed it up once it's submitted.
DBS processes, fees, and requirements are set by the Disclosure and Barring Service and reviewed periodically. Always check current guidance directly on gov.uk before applying.