Independent Childminders and... Other requirements
There are all sorts of bits and bobs you need to be aware of if you want to be an independent Ofsted registered childminder... I have talked about some of them here including -
· Information Commissioners Office registration
· Health and safety legislation
· The Equality Act 2010
· Fire regulations
· Food business registration
· Planning requirements
· Music licensing
· Firearms
· Overnight care
· Pets and animals
· DBS / CRB checks
· Changes since last inspection
Information Commissioners Office – all childminders must be registered with ICO as data handlers. It costs £35 a year.
Health and safety legislation – you must understand your duty of care to keep children and visitors including families safe so far as is ‘reasonably practicable.’ You might have a written health and safety policy.
The Equality Act 2010 – you must comply with the Equality Act 2010. You will find more information here.
Fire regulations – you must comply with fire regulations requirements in the EYFS; Ofsted expect you to do and record regular emergency practices with children and to have an emergency plan displayed for visitors / parents.
Food business registration – you must be registered with your local Environmental Health department. You should use the document ‘Safer Food Better Business for Childminders’ in your day-to-day work - you will find a copy here.
Allergy legislation – you must comply with EU legislation to keep a record of allergens in the food you give to children. You should keep this record for 3 months and provide it to parents on request. You might want to display a menu which shows the allergens. I have written more advice here.
Planning requirements – you must be aware of local planning requirements. You might need to apply for planning permission. You will find more information here.
Music licensing – childminders do not need to buy a licence to play music as long as the music they play is for educational purposes or private use. You can find clarification from PPL here.
Firearms – if you have guns on the premises you must inform Ofsted.
Overnight care – if you want to offer an overnight care service you must inform Ofsted and compete a risk assessment. You will find a sample RA and further information here.
PAT testing - childminders do not need to have their equipment PAT tested.
Pets and other animals – you must risk assess to ensure children are safe. Most childminders put together a folder with their risk assessment and other information such as vets details to show parents and Ofsted.
DBS (formerly CRB) checks – it is not a requirement of the EYFS to update CRB checks. All over 16s must have a CRB / DBS check if they live or work on the premises and this must be done as soon as possible when they are 16 or if they move into the provision. You will find advice about DBS checks here.
Changes since last inspection – if you have changed anything please tell Ofsted either by phone – 0300 123 1231 or email – enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You will be actioned if you have failed to inform them. The worst time to tell Ofsted about changes in during your inspection.
You can ask for advice and information about Ofsted inspections here.
You can read Ofsted inspection tips in this section of the Childminding Forum.
If you are unhappy with your Ofsted inspection, you will find information about how to make a complaint here.
There are all sorts of bits and bobs you need to be aware of if you want to be an independent Ofsted registered childminder... I have talked about some of them here including -
· Information Commissioners Office registration
· Health and safety legislation
· The Equality Act 2010
· Fire regulations
· Food business registration
· Planning requirements
· Music licensing
· Firearms
· Overnight care
· Pets and animals
· DBS / CRB checks
· Changes since last inspection
Information Commissioners Office – all childminders must be registered with ICO as data handlers. It costs £35 a year.
Health and safety legislation – you must understand your duty of care to keep children and visitors including families safe so far as is ‘reasonably practicable.’ You might have a written health and safety policy.
The Equality Act 2010 – you must comply with the Equality Act 2010. You will find more information here.
Fire regulations – you must comply with fire regulations requirements in the EYFS; Ofsted expect you to do and record regular emergency practices with children and to have an emergency plan displayed for visitors / parents.
Food business registration – you must be registered with your local Environmental Health department. You should use the document ‘Safer Food Better Business for Childminders’ in your day-to-day work - you will find a copy here.
Allergy legislation – you must comply with EU legislation to keep a record of allergens in the food you give to children. You should keep this record for 3 months and provide it to parents on request. You might want to display a menu which shows the allergens. I have written more advice here.
Planning requirements – you must be aware of local planning requirements. You might need to apply for planning permission. You will find more information here.
Music licensing – childminders do not need to buy a licence to play music as long as the music they play is for educational purposes or private use. You can find clarification from PPL here.
Firearms – if you have guns on the premises you must inform Ofsted.
Overnight care – if you want to offer an overnight care service you must inform Ofsted and compete a risk assessment. You will find a sample RA and further information here.
PAT testing - childminders do not need to have their equipment PAT tested.
Pets and other animals – you must risk assess to ensure children are safe. Most childminders put together a folder with their risk assessment and other information such as vets details to show parents and Ofsted.
DBS (formerly CRB) checks – it is not a requirement of the EYFS to update CRB checks. All over 16s must have a CRB / DBS check if they live or work on the premises and this must be done as soon as possible when they are 16 or if they move into the provision. You will find advice about DBS checks here.
Changes since last inspection – if you have changed anything please tell Ofsted either by phone – 0300 123 1231 or email – enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You will be actioned if you have failed to inform them. The worst time to tell Ofsted about changes in during your inspection.
You can ask for advice and information about Ofsted inspections here.
You can read Ofsted inspection tips in this section of the Childminding Forum.
If you are unhappy with your Ofsted inspection, you will find information about how to make a complaint here.