What is a childminder?

A registered childminder will look after your child along with other children in the childminders own home.

A childminder can legally care for up to six children under the age of eight, including their own children – but only three of them can be aged under five.

Childminders are self employed; they decide their own working hours. Most are willing to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as well as part time, perfect for school and preschool drop offs and collections and holidays.

All registered childminders are required to complete a basic training course, including first aid, and most go on to further training and professional development including qualifications. Some childminders have completed quality assurance awards.

• Quality assurance

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What are the benefits of having a childminder?

• Your child will be cared for in a home environment
• There will be one carer
• Children of different ages can be cared for together
• Childminders can support families for years as children grow up
• Childminders can offer flexible hours

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How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

Childminders must be registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) before they begin to work with children. They carry out regular checks on the home and the childminder. All adults living and working in the childminders home will be police and health checked. Not all childminders have childcare qualifications. Once you have met and interviewed a childminder, you will be able to decide if they are the right person to care for your child. childminders must hold a first aid certificate. You can ask to see a childminder's registration certificate latest inspection report and insurance certificate.

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How many children will there be with a childminder?

Childminders are registered to care for up to six children aged under 8, of these no more than three must be aged under 5. Normally no more than one child can be aged under 1.

The childminder's own children are taken into account and counted in these numbers. Childminders who work with an assistant may look after larger groups of children. Childminders can also care for children over 8 as long as this doesn't adversely affect the care of the younger children.

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What age range are the children with a childminder?

Children can go to a childminder from a few months old right through until they reach secondary school, although childminders are only required to register to look after children aged under 8.

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When are childminders open?

Childminders are self employed and so they decide their own working hours. Most childminders will provide childcare between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Some childminders will work early mornings, evenings and weekends as well. You will need to negotiate hours, and terms and conditions with the childminder. Many childminders are happy to provide families with part-time places for children. They often provide drop off and pick ups for playgroup, nursery and school.

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How much does a childminder cost?

Childminders are self-employed, they set their own rates and the cost which must be agreed between you and the childminder is negotiable according to the hours and service provided. The average rate charged by childminders in Kirklees is currently £3.15 per hour, per child. A contract should be signed agreeing hours, fees and any special arrangements. You can also suggest a trial period, of four weeks for example, this can be written into the contract leaving both of you free to terminate the arrangement if it is not working well. Contracts should also cover important issues such as sickness, retainers and holidays.

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Can I get help towards childcare costs?

• Paying for childcare

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How can I help my child settle in?

Each child will be different and the time it takes to settle varies greatly depending on age and personality. Make a few visits with your child to the childminder, followed by a visit when you leave your child for an hour or so. Watch carefully to see how your child interacts with other children in the childminder's care.

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How can I help my childminder look after my child?

Discuss any difficulties with the childminder as soon as they arise - often lack of communication leads to misunderstandings, which can easily be avoided. It is important to work together as much as possible in the child's interests. Your arrangement with a childminder is a business agreement - keep him/her informed of any changes in the child's routine, and any holidays that you are planning when the childminder will not be required. Give consideration to statutory holidays, e.g., Easter, bank holidays, etc. Small details, like punctuality when dropping off or picking up your child, will greatly enhance your working relationship.

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What questions should I ask to help me choose a childminder?

This is not a definitive guide but these tips cover some of the issues that are relevant for you and your child when choosing a childminder:

• What arrangements for alternative care can the childminder provide if s/he is ill?
• Ask to see registration, public liability insurance and first aid certificates.
• Ask about other adults in the house.
• Talk about feeding, learning, TV watching and discipline policies.
• Ask to see all the rooms and garden where your child might be cared for.
• If you are late collecting your child how much extra will you have to pay?
• How much do you have to pay if your child does not attend for any reason?
• Does the childminder drop off/pick up from school?
• Does the childminder attend Childminding Support Groups or parent and toddler groups, with minded children?
• Are there any pets in the childminders house, do the children come into contact with them?
• Does the childminder drive and will s/he be transporting your child by car.
• How long has the childminder been childminding and can they provide references from a previous parent or a telephone number of a parent who presently uses them?

The Family Information Service offers free information, advice and guidance for children, young people and their parents or carers on finding and paying for childcare, parenting issues, family activities and organisations that can offer further support.

• Tel: 01484 414887
• Email: fis@kirklees.gov.uk

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Texting service

You can text these keywords:

• childcare
• parenting
• activities
• organisations
• money

Plus:

• your name

To this number:

• 07800 002 431

An information officer will call you back within 6 working days to talk about how we can help you. Standard network charges apply.

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