Advice for parents looking for local childminders and childminders looking for work

Childminder basics, childminder rates, childminder policies

Find registered childminders in London and UK wide childminders on Findababysitter.com. If you are a parent you can find a childminder in your local area by searching for childminders, simply select Childminders and enter your postcode. Alternatively you can purchase one of our affordable price plans and post a childminder job. You’ll then be able to interview local childminders that respond directly to your advert.

If you are a registered childminder looking for childminder jobs in London, Ashford, Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Dorchester, Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester or Portsmouth then you’ve come to the right place! Create your own free childcarer profile on FAB and you can apply for childminder jobs near you straight away.

Childminder basics

A registered childminder is a common alternative to care from a relative or nanny. The care is more affordable than a nanny but offers the same home based advantages. There are around 75,000 registered childminders in the UK.
A childminder, as defined by The Children’s Act of 1989, is a person who looks after one or more children under the age of eight for more than a total of two hours a day on domestic premises (other than the child's own home), for reward. This normally means the childminder's own home. Childminders are required by law to be registered with OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education), you should ask to see your childminders current OFSTED registration certificate. Your childminder may also be registered with the NCMA (National Childminding Association).
A childminder cares for children in the childminders own home. The place of care will be inspected by OFSTED. Details of inspections are published on OFSTED’s website.
OFSTED policies state that to pass registration and inspections a registered childminder and all other members of their household over 16 must hold a clear CRB disclosure. Childminders are interviewed and their home inspected. They must complete a registration course and first aid training.
Your childminders OFSTED registration certificate will detail how many children may be cared for in the childminders home at anytime. This may be up to 6 children.
Your childminder may be able to administer medication for you if qualified to do so but you should always ask and check yourself. If this is the case your childminder will keep a diary of what has been administered and when, including non prescription medication.

Childminder policies

A registered childminder will have a list of policies on childcare individual to that childminder, as well as an OFSTED certificate. You should request to see both.
Your childminder’s policies will tell you whether they provide the child’s meals, provide nappies, do school runs and afterschool care, and should state that they will provide stimulating play for the children, and if they will help with homework. The policies may also include your childminders hours for dropping off and collection, any additional charges e.g. for meals or nappies, holiday and holiday pay policy if applicable.
Make sure you read, understand and agree the policies with your childminder.

Childminder rates and charges

Full time registered childminder rates in the UK are between £140 and £400 per week. This cost depends on the registered childminder’s demand, location, experience and possibly the number of children in the childminders care at any one time.
A part time registered childminder’s rates can cost £6 to £10 per hour. View available childminders. Local area and postcode search available.

Good luck, we hope you find your perfect childminder and found this information useful. If you have any feedback or want to share your childminder advice we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us or leave a comment on our childcare blog. You can even find us on Twitter and Facebook. We’d love to hear from you.

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If you are a parent looking for someone to look after your little ones you can register on Findababysitter.com and search for local candidates straight away. To post a job, contact unlimited candidates, and receive responses to your advert you’ll need to purchase either Premium or Ultra Access.

If you are a childcare candidate you can create a FAB profile, search and apply for jobs completely free. Plus you can create email alerts for new jobs posted by FAB Families in your area. For the best chance of finding a job we advise candidates to create a full and complete profile with a photo and excellent personal description about you and your childcare experience.