We offer a comprehensive training package to support you through your training and 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.
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.
Summer Term 2024
Setting up your Childminding Business - Wednesday 03 July 2024, 12.30pm to 2.30pm - via Microsoft Teams - online session
Autumn Term 2024
Setting up your Childminding Business - Tuesday 12 November 2024, 9.30am to 12.00pm at The Looking Glass Centre, Dudley Wood Road, DY2 0DB
Summer Term 2025
Setting up your Childminding Business - Wednesday 07 May 2025, 9.30am to 12.00pm at The Looking Glass Centre, Dudley Wood Road, 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.
You have up to 6 months to complete the course at a cost of £294. You can apply for a time extension at a further cost of £114 if required.
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 £175.
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)
The Food Standards Agency provides a food safety management pack for registered and newly registering childminders or childcarers on domestic premises who usually provide meals and drinks for the children in their care.
The following documents are essential to delivering a childminding service:
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.
Once you have completed all the required training please notify us by emailing childminding@dudley.gov.uk so we can then issue your certificate of completion. You will need to show this certificate during your pre-registration visit with Ofsted.
Registering as a childminder
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.
