Who are registered childminders?
• A registered childminder is someone who looks after children on domestic premises for more than two hours in any one day for reward. It must not be the home of any of the children being cared for. • Childminders can be flexible about the hours they work and can offer a customised family-friendly service. • Childminders can take children to local parks, playgrounds, toy libraries and drop-in groups where the children can make friends with other children. • Childminders who care solely for children over the age of eight years can apply to go onto the Voluntary Register of the Office for Standards in Education Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). • Families using childminders on the voluntary register can also claim for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit (WTC) and be eligible for employer-supported childcare vouchers. For further information, please contact Ofsted on 0845 6404 040.
