Childminder (Ofsted-registered)

What it is

A childminder looks after other people's children in their own home, as a self-employed business. You set your own hours, your own rates, and (within legal limits) how many children you take. The key thing to know is that you do not need a childcare diploma to start. You register with Ofsted, the body that approves and inspects childcare in England, and once registered you can legally take paying families.

Who it suits

This is the standout option in education for people with limited English and for anyone who wants to work from home and be their own boss. There is no formal English exam, the start-up cost is low, and you build the business around your own family. It suits people who already enjoy caring for children, have a suitable home with space, and want flexible, self-employed income rather than a fixed job. If you have young children of your own, you can care for them alongside the children you mind.

How you qualify

1. Complete pre-registration training (an introduction to running a childminding setting and meeting the rules).
2. Do a paediatric first aid course (12 hours).
3. Get an Enhanced DBS (criminal-record) check for yourself and for any other adults living in your household.
4. Apply to Ofsted to register. The application fee is £35, and approval can take up to 12 weeks.

You can register directly with Ofsted, or join a childminder agency, which handles some of the process for you.

Cost and how long it takes

The Ofsted registration fee is £35. Training and first aid together come to roughly £160–320. The national start-up grant that used to cover most of this (£600, or £1,200 through an agency) closed in 2025. Some local councils now run their own start-up grants, so ask your local authority what is available before you assume there is help. Realistically the whole process takes 3–4 months, with the wait mostly down to the DBS check and Ofsted approval. Because rules and any grants change, check the current figures on the official site before you budget.

The English you need

This is the most flexible route in education for language. There is no formal English test. That said, you are not free of English entirely. You follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the framework for how you care for and teach young children, you keep basic written records, and you deal with Ofsted inspections in English. Low-to-moderate English is enough to start, which is why this stands out for newcomers, but you do need enough to handle paperwork and an inspection.

The honest reality

Registration is not the same as a full diary of children. You are running a small business, so you have to find families, which can be slow at first and depends on demand in your area. Strong demand from government-funded childcare hours helps, but you still market yourself. You also take on ongoing responsibilities: insurance, keeping your home safe and compliant, and being ready for Ofsted inspections. One important caution: the EYFS rules were reformed in 2025, and the old national start-up grant has since closed. Conditions such as how many children you can take can also change. Always verify the current Ofsted and EYFS rules before you rely on anything here.

What you can earn

As a self-employed childminder you set your own rates, so your income depends on how many children you care for, your hourly rate, and the hours you fill. There is no single salary figure. Earnings can be modest while you build up, and grow as your diary fills and your reputation spreads by word of mouth. Treat any income figure as a rough estimate, and remember you pay your own costs (food, activities, insurance, heating) out of what you charge.

Your next step

Decide whether to register directly with Ofsted or through a childminder agency (an agency handles more of the process for you). Then book your pre-registration training and paediatric first aid course, and start your Enhanced DBS check early, since it is often the slowest step. You can begin the registration process on the official site linked below, and check the current EYFS rules there first.