Childminders

Registered childminders are professional day carers who work in their own home to provide care and education for other people's children. 

All childminders must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which are the standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. 

Average working hours for a childminder in the borough are 7am to 6pm, but childminders can often offer very flexible care and may be able to cover shift work and weekend working.

Registered childminders are allowed to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old, of which usually no more than three may be in the age range of birth to five years old. These numbers include the childminder's own children. As they work with small groups of children, they may be able to offer more individualised care. They can look after siblings of different age groups. 

Childminders can either be:

• Independent and registered by Ofsted or
• Signed up to a childminder agency which is registered by Ofsted

The registration process involves an inspection of the premises from which they operate and an inspection of their ability as a childminder.

Once an independent childminder has been inspected by Ofsted, an inspection report will be published on the Ofsted website. A copy of a childminder's latest report can be accessed via the Ofsted website or the FIS Childcare Directory. 

A childminder signed up to a childminder agency will receive at least one quality assurance visit per year and have access to the minimum required levels of support and training as set out in the regulations for childminder agencies. The agency has a duty to publish the quality assurance reports which will usually be found on the agency's website.

Childminders are self-employed and set their own hourly rates. Rates in the London Borough of Sutton range from £6 to £6.50 an hour depending on the location. You will agree to a contract with the childminder that will include hours, holiday pay and terms and conditions.

Childminders can be registered to offer the Early Education and Childcare Funding Entitlements and the Tax Free Childcare scheme. Families qualifying for Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit may also be able to claim help with childcare costs.