{"id":11989,"date":"2023-07-04T11:02:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T11:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=11989"},"modified":"2023-09-22T11:35:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T11:35:26","slug":"register-as-a-childminder-agency","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/business\/childcare-providers\/register-as-a-childminder-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Register a Childminder Agency with Ofsted (England)"},"content":{"rendered":"
What exactly is a childminder agency in England? It is an organisation that has Ofsted permission to register childminders.<\/p>\n
There are some clear advantages of registering with a childminder agency.<\/p>\n
For example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
Registered childminder agencies will provide a range of useful services to agency members and to parents (e.g. advice and support).<\/p>\n
But, setting up a childminder agency in England means you will need to register with Ofsted.<\/p>\n
Note<\/strong>: Childminder agency registration can take place as an individual or as a private or public sector organisation (e.g. an academy or a school).<\/p>\n
When you register a childminder agency you will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an interview by Ofsted inspectors. Check out the ‘Ofsted DBS Application’ process for further details.<\/p>\n
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Which Register You Need to Join<\/h2>\n
There are two different, yet connected, childminding registers you can join. So, depending on your situation as an individual or an organisation, you would need to:<\/p>\n
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Apply to join the Early Years Register if you want to register childminders who will be looking after children from birth to age five (i.e. the 31st of August after their 5th birthday).<\/li>\n
Apply to join the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if you want to register childminders who will be looking after children aged five (5) to seven (7).<\/li>\n
Join both registers if you want to register childminders who will be looking after children of all ages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Note<\/strong>: Registration on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register means you can choose to join the voluntary part. But, you must have already registered childminders on the compulsory part to be able to register them on the voluntary part as well.<\/p>\n
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Fees for Registering as a Childminder Agency<\/h2>\n
The full Ofsted registration process can take up to four (4) months to complete when you set up and register as a childminder agency.<\/p>\n
Note<\/strong>: The current cost to register as a childminder agency is \u00a3220. But, joining the Childcare Register is free if you have already registered on (or applying to register for) the Early Years Register.<\/p>\n
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Top Questions about Childminder Agency Registration<\/h2>\n
Q. Is Registering with a Childminder Agency a Requirement?<\/p>\n
The simple answer is ‘no’. As an individual childminder you can choose to join an Ofsted-registered childminder agency or you can also choose to maintain your individual Ofsted registration instead.<\/p>\n
Q. Can I be Self-employed and Register with a Childminder Agency?<\/p>\n
In fact, the best answer to this one is… it would depend on the actual agency.<\/p>\n
Some childminding agencies will choose only to employ childminders registered on their official list or directory. Whereas, others will allow childminders to remain in self-employment.<\/p>\n
Q. Can I Register with an Agency and Keep My Individual Ofsted Registration?<\/p>\n
Once again, the best answer is ‘no’. An individual Ofsted registration would become null and void after registering with a childminder agency.<\/p>\n
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How to Apply for Childminder Agency Registration<\/h2>\n
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