How to Register as a Childminder with Ofsted

Registering with Ofsted is the step that makes you a legally recognised childminder in England. It can feel like the most daunting part of the process, but it's mostly a matter of getting your paperwork in order and being ready to show an inspector around your home. Here's what actually happens.

Ofsted registration versus a childminder agency

You have two options for registration in England: register directly with Ofsted, or register with a childminder agency (CMA) instead. A CMA carries out its own registration and quality assurance process rather than Ofsted doing it directly, and can offer more hands-on support, sometimes for a membership fee. Most childminders register directly with Ofsted, but it's worth knowing the alternative exists if you'd value more day-to-day support, especially as a new starter.

Before you apply

You'll need to have already completed (or be booked onto):

An approved paediatric first aid course
An introductory childminding/EYFS training course
Your enhanced DBS check, or at least have it in progress

Ofsted won't complete your registration without evidence of these, so get them moving early; DBS checks in particular can take several weeks.

The application itself

You apply online through the Ofsted childcare register application. You'll need to provide:

Personal details and your address
Details of anyone else living in your household aged 16 or over (who will also need a DBS check)
A health declaration booklet, confirming you're fit to care for children
Two references, usually not from family members
Your qualification certificates
The registration fee (this is reviewed periodically, so check the current amount on gov.uk before applying)

The home visit

Once your paperwork is in, an Ofsted inspector will arrange a visit to your home. This isn't a test in the way a formal inspection is; it's a check that your home is suitable and safe for the ages and numbers of children you intend to care for. Expect the inspector to look at:

General cleanliness and safety, including any obvious hazards
Fire safety (smoke alarms, a clear escape route, fire safety equipment)
Safe storage of medicines and cleaning products, out of children's reach
Outdoor space, or your plan for accessing safe outdoor space regularly
Your general understanding of the EYFS framework and safeguarding responsibilities

Being genuinely prepared matters more than being nervous about it. Most childminders describe the visit as straightforward once they're actually in it.

What happens after the visit

If everything checks out, you'll receive your registration certificate, which confirms which parts of the register you're on (Early Years Register, and potentially the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, depending on the ages of children you'll care for) and any conditions attached to it. You can then legally start caring for children as a registered childminder.

How long does registration take?

Ofsted aims to process complete applications within a set timeframe, but in practice it depends heavily on how quickly your DBS check clears and how promptly you provide any additional information requested. Three to four months from starting the process to receiving your certificate is a realistic expectation, though it can be quicker if everything moves smoothly.

Get your paperwork ready in parallel

While you're waiting on your registration, it's a good time to get your parent contract and policies drafted, so you're not scrambling once your certificate arrives and your first enquiry comes in. GoChildmind generates a full contract and policy set from a single survey about your setting, so this part doesn't have to wait until the last minute.

Registration fees, processes, and requirements are reviewed periodically. Always check the current guidance directly on gov.uk or Ofsted's website before applying.