We offer a comprehensive training package to support the Ofsted registration route. Our pre-registration training will guide you through step by step to start your professional career as a childminder.
Pre-registration childminding training
Open to all who have an interest in starting their own childminding business. You will find out more about what is involved and required for a career in childminding.
The first part of the training is independent learning - 'Become a Childminder' - Ofsted briefing. This session is free of charge for Dudley residents.
Following your independent learning and your decision to continue with starting your own childminding business you will be required to complete a further session as outlined below:
Setting up your Childminding Business
Cost: £30 per person.
Please use our online booking form to request the link to independent learning briefing and to book your place on one of the training dates offered termly. Alternatively you can email us with any enquiries to childminding@dudley.gov.uk.
To apply for and attend the training you must –
have the right to work in the UK
be over 18
be allowed to work with children (you - and anyone else in your home over 16 - will need an enhanced DBS, also known as a criminal record check)
complete a health declaration booklet with your doctor confirming you are physically and emotionally capable for caring for children
have a good level of written and spoken English
Setting up your Childminding Business session
Childminders must complete training which helps them to understand and implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) before they can register with Ofsted.
Our comprehensive training will support you in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Guidance. The training will prepare you for your initial Ofsted registration visit, and your career as a childminder.
You only need to attend one of the dates on offer. The course fee is £30 per person and payment is required before accessing the training. These sessions are for Dudley residents.
Please note: you must complete the independent learning 'Become a Childminder' Ofsted briefing before accessing the training below.
Autumn Term 2026
Setting up your Childminding Business - Thursday 19 November 2026, 10am to 1pm at the Looking Glass Centre, care of Dudley Wood NLC, Dudley Wood Road, Netherton, DY2 0DB
Summer Term 2027
Setting up your Childminding Business - Wednesday 12 May 2027, 10am to 1pm at The Looking Glass Centre, care of Dudley Wood NLC, Dudley Wood Road, Netherton, DY2 0DB
You may also need to complete the following courses
You may be required or choose to complete the following course if you have no childcare qualifications.
PACEY is a charity dedicated to supporting everyone working in childcare and early years to provide high quality care and early learning for children and families.
To register with Pacey and complete their CACHE-accredited and Ofsted recognised Level 3 Award in 'Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare' course (HBCA) - note this is not a full level 3 qualification.
The award is made up of two units. All learners complete Unit 1 and then choose whether to do Unit 2 if aiming to be a childminder, or Unit 3 if aiming to become a nanny. See the link above for more detail.
Please see the link above for more details on training costs.
Alternatively you can access the online introductory training modules with Childminding UK.
This is an introductory training course at a level 3 standard. Each module has a multiple-choice knowledge test at the end which you are required to pass.
The course consists of 5 modules and is CPD Accredited and Ofsted recognised.
Each module is likely to take between 2 and 3 hours to complete.
The five modules are:
Understanding and working with the EYFS
Recording Children's Development
Safeguarding Children and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Developing Children's Learning
Leading and managing a Childminding Setting
You have up to 1 year to complete the course at a cost of £195.
Following or during completion of the PACEY units or the online Childminding UK course you also need to attend the following training courses to meet the legal requirements before registration:
Safeguarding in Early Years and Childcare (2½ hours)
Level 2 Food Safety
Paediatric First Aid or Blended Paediatric First Aid (both 12 hours)
If you suspect that a child is being abused or is likely to be abused, contact Dudley Children’s Services through the Children’s Front Door on 0300 555 0050, option 3, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Safeguarding referrals that meet the threshold are handled through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Outside office hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 555 8574. In an emergency, call 999.
If you provide food as part of your childminding business, the details you give to Ofsted or your childminder agency will also be used to register you as a food business.
You do not need to register separately with Dudley Council. If your circumstances change or you are unsure whether this applies to you, check the food business guidance on our website.
You usually do not need planning permission if the part of your home used for business does not change the overall character of the property as a dwelling.
Planning permission may be required where the scale or nature of the childminding business changes the overall character of the property as a private home. Each case is considered individually. Relevant factors may include:
you want to run the business from a new detached building
you plan to extend or alter the existing premises
the business regularly generates visitors, traffic, noise or fumes beyond what is typical for a home
an increase in employees, operating hours or other activity that could affect neighbouring properties
In February 2023 the Department for Education (DfE) launched their free, flexible, online Early Years Child Development trainingaimed at helping childminders, nursery practitioners and nursery managers to refresh and strengthen their child development knowledge.
The first 5 modules of the training covering child and brain development, personal, social and emotional development, communication and language and physical development are available and can now be completed in any order.
Discover the real stories from early years educators making a difference.
Watch and explore the case study videos of childminders Brodie and Sam to find our more about their role.
Plus see the new Channel 4 meets early years heroes - episode 4 - How to become your own boss.
Dudley’s Family Information Service provides information about registered childcare, funded childcare and local family support.
You will need to ensure you apply to the correct register(s). This depends on the age of the children you plan to look after, although many childminders register on both the Early Years Register and Childcare Register.
The Childcare Register has two parts; a compulsory and a voluntary part. The compulsory part covers childminders looking after school aged children between 5 and 8 years. The voluntary part covers childminders caring for children over 8 years only. You may choose to join the voluntary part of the register if you are caring for children:
in the home of one of the children (aged from birth to 17 years old)
aged 8 - 17 years
aged from birth to under eight years old in provision that is exempt from compulsory registration, e.g. sports coaching.
If you work in your own home caring for children under eight for more than two hours per day in return for payment you must register as a childminder with Ofsted. If you act as a childminder without being registered, it could lead to prosecution and an unlimited fine.
We would also like to advise you that the registration process can be lengthy, Ofsted aim to register childminders within 12 weeks of receipt of the application form, and the current application fee is £35 for those wishing to join all three registers.
No. You do not need to register as a childminder if you:
are the parent or relative of the child you are looking after; or you have parental responsibility for the child
are a local authority foster parent in relation to the child
are a foster parent with whom a child has been placed by a voluntary organisation
foster a child privately
only look after the child between the hours of 6pm and 2am
If you want to become a childminder anyone in your household, aged 16 or over, and anyone involved with your childminding business will need to complete a DBS check prior to you applying to Ofsted. You MUST apply for your DBS directly through the Ofsted website to ensure they will accept it.
Please be aware that if any member of your household has a previous conviction, they may appear on the‘barred’ list; which may mean you are unable to register as a childminder. If you are not sure whether you need to register, you can ring Ofsted's helpline on 0300 123 1231 for more information.
