Childminders
The role of a childminder
A childminder is a self employed carer registered to look after one or more children in their own home. They can offer a range of care, play and learning opportunities to one or more children. Registration is required if the care exceeds a total of more than two hours in any one day.
Childminders may offer full time or part time day care for the under fives, and, before and after school and holiday care for school aged children up to eight years of age. Some will provide meals and, if required, are willing to cater for special dietary requirements.
The numbers and ages of children
Childminders may be registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old. Only three of these may be under five years old, with one of these being under one year. However exceptions can be made for siblings. These numbers include any of the childminders own children under the age of eight.
Childminders can care for older children but the law does not require them to register for this, however the care must not affect the under eights care.
How much do childminders charge?
Childminders set their own charges. In Poole you should expect to pay approximately £3.00 per hour for full time care. A higher rate may be charged for part time places.
You may also need to consider costs for holiday pay, overtime and absences due to sickness. Working parents may be able to get help with costs if they are eligible to receive the Working Tax Credit. Please ask for a leaflet from the Children’s Information Service.
The regulation of childminders
All childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education). Ofsted ensure childminders meet the 14 National Standards relating to health and safety, equipment, care and learning and that the childminder’s home is a safe and appropriate environment for children.
Training for childminders
All registered childminders will have completed an approved childminder’s pre-registration course and a first aid course within six months of commencing childminding.
Some childminders will have practical experience of looking after and raising their own children and many have undergone training in childcare. There are an increasing number of opportunities for childminders to undertake further training and professional development.
The Childminding Network
Some registered Childminders are members of a Borough of Poole NCMA Children Children Come First Childminding Network. This is a formal group of childminders, who each provide a quality assured service, in accordance with the National Childminding Association Quality Charter.
They are supported and monitored by a Borough of Poole Network Coordinator. Some childminders within the Network may be "accredited" to provide Nursery Education for 3 and 4 year olds, who are eligible for Three and Four Year Old Funding.
Choosing a childminder
Please get in contact with us to ask for a list of local childminders and vacancy details. Registered local childminders can also be found on the ChildcareLink website.
Contact the Childminder by telephone or letter to ask about availability of vacancies and the facilities offered. Book a visit to meet the Childminder with your child. It is advisable to visit several childminders before you make a decision. As soon as you have made a decision please inform the childminders you have visited.
Most childminders will set up a contract to provide parents and childminders with a written agreement on contracted hours, payment rates, additional charges, charges for absence and ‘settling in’ period arrangements.
You should ask to see the childminder’s registration and insurance certificates current first-aid certificate and any training documents
Questions you may like to ask your childminder
- Is there a range of play activities/learning opportunities?
- Does the Childminder share a similar approach to you about caring for children?
- Ask about issues that are important to you - diet, television, behaviour management etc
- Do you have pets?
- Do you smoke?
- How many children do you look after and what are their ages?
- Do you have emergency arrangements with other childminders?
- Do you collect any children from schools?
- If so, what schools?
- Would you be able to take or collect my child from pre-school, nursery, school?
- Who else will be in the house whilst you are minding?
- Have you received any complaints from parents about your childminding?
- How were they resolved?
- Do you take the children out?
- Ensure proper car seats and appropriate insurance available
- How much time is allowed for outdoor activities?
- What toys, books, creative and play equipment are available?
- Do you let the children watch TV/videos?
- If so, is it supervised?
Additional contacts
- Dorset & Poole Childminding Association: DPCMA 01305 229431
- National Childminding Association: NCMA 0208 464 6164
- Borough of Poole Childminding Network: 01202 261940
- Tax Credit Helpline: 0845 300 3900
- Poole Early Years Team: 01202 261900
- Ofsted Helpline: 0845 601 4771
- Daycare Trust: 020 7840 3350
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