Becoming a childcare provider

Becoming a childminder

Thinking about becoming a childminder in Enfield?

A childminder is a person who looks after at least 1 child, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises for more than 2 hours a day for a reward.

You need a sufficient understanding and use of English, and must be over the age of 18 years old.

Where to start and what training and support is available?

Online training sessions

Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing

• Date:  For September to be confirmed
• Time: 9:30am to 11am

This is an introduction about becoming an Ofsted registered childminder. This session will provide you with relevant information so that you can make an informed decision as to whether you wish to proceed with the process and complete our three childminding training sessions.

If you would like to book on the above pre-registration briefing session, please email eytraining@enfield.gov.uk with the following information:

• Full name
• Address including post code
• Contact telephone numbers
• Email address

Once we have received your request, we will send you instructions on how to access our training website and how to pay. You will receive further details a few days before the pre-registration briefing session.

Online childminding training

• Cost: £39.99
• Dates: Tuesday 2 July 2024, Wednesday 3 July 2024 and Thursday 4 July 2024
• Time: 9:30am to 11:45am

Once you have completed our pre-registration briefing session and you decide you would like to register as a childminder. You can log into the training website and book onto the childminding training course.

The training course will provide you with information on:

• Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (with reference to the Childcare Register requirements)
• Ofsted registration process
• Business side of childminding

Please note that candidates are required to complete all 3 sessions in order to receive a certificate.

Further pre-registration support will be offered if you live in the London Borough of Enfield via telephone, email and face to face. Documentation and templates will be emailed.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be done at least 48 hours prior to the course start date via the training website. We operate a strictly no refund policy once payment has been received and a space confirmed. However, you will be offered the chance to book on to the next available course, this can be done up to two times.

Running a childminding business from your home

If you are living in rented accommodation you must check with your landlord if you can run a childminding business from their property (seek permission in writing).

If you have a mortgage on the property you will normally need to inform the mortgage provider. Advisable to check the deeds on the property to ensure that there are no restrictions which would prevent you from running a business from your home.

Planning requirements

If you answer ‘yes’ to any questions listed below you may require planning permission to operate as a childminder from your home:

• Will your home no longer be used mainly as a private residence?
• Will your business result in a marked rise in traffic or people calling?
• Will your business involve any activities unusual in a residential area?
• Will your business disturb your neighbours at unreasonable hours or create other forms of nuisance such as noise or smells?

If you have answered “yes” and / or are in doubt you may apply to Enfield Council’s Planning Department for a Certificate of Lawful Use for the proposed childminding, to confirm it is not a change of use from your home to a business premises.

If you intend to work with assistants and/or other registered childminders you must contact the Planning Department to see if planning permission is required or not.

If you have any enquiries regarding planning these should be made via email to planning.decisions@enfield.gov.uk

The following details must be provided:

• property details including full address / telephone
• number of children you will be caring for
• staff numbers
• hours operating for
• external play area (if so, provide the scale and times of use)
• areas of the premises to be used.

Business Smart

Business Smart is a collection of ideas, inspiration and tools to help new and existing childcare practitioners develop and maintain a sustainable business.

Setting up a day nursery or preschool

First steps

See information if you're thinking about setting up a day nursery or pre-school (Childcare on non domestic premises):

• Starting a nursery or other daycare and running the business
• Apply to register your nursery or other daycare organisation (EYO)

You need to do your market research carefully before selecting premises. You'll need to know that there is demand for the services you want to offer in your chosen area. You can see what other nurseries and pre-schools there are in Enfield by searching on our Family Information Directory.

View Enfield Council's Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (PDF, 1208.95 KB).

You also need to think about the right kind of premises to use. You'll need to think about the age range and number of children you want to look after and whether your proposed premises can cater for all their needs.

Enfield proposed provider pack

Our Childcare Team are able to support you through the process of setting up a group setting, and you can buy into this service by obtaining the Enfield proposed provider pack at a cost of £195.

Providers package includes:

• Pre-registration visits - arranged with our Childcare Advisors
• Nursery Start up checklist
• The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Early Years Inspection Handbook
• Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Birth to 5
• Progress check at age 2
• What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - Advice for practitioners
• Child Protection Poster
• The Prevent Duty - Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers - link to be provided
• Nursery Funding Entitlement Information - link to be provided

If you would like to purchase this pack, please email eytraining@enfield.gov.uk with your full name, contact details and explain you are looking to purchase the proposed provider pack. Further instructions will then be sent to you to make payment.

As a proposed provider you are wholly responsible for making sure that the premises is compliant with Enfield Councils planning and building control regulations, you must also comply with the requirements of Enfield Councils environmental health and local fire authority.

Nursery Provisions and Childcare on Domestic Premises - Legal Planning Requirements:

Proposed providers must contact the Enfield planning department to see if planning permission is required or not with regards to running a business from the premises prior to Ofsted registration.

Class E (Commercial, Business and Service), formerly known as D1, permission will be needed.

Enquiries to be made via email to planning.decisions@enfield.gov.uk

Please ensure that you have correct planning permission for the premises, as you will need to provide the evidence that planning permission has been granted to be able to offer funded places.

Early years business sustainability

See advice, examples and resources to help early years providers run a sustainable childcare business.

Careers in childcare

Career progression

If you are looking to progress in your Early Years career, please see Department for Education’s Early Years Career Progression Map (PDF, 635.47 KB)

Job vacancy bulletin

If you are looking for a job in childcare, please visit our Job vacancy bulletin.

Setting up a group setting

Information if you are looking to set up a group setting (day nursery or pre-school).

Becoming a childminder

Information if you are interested in becoming a childminder.

Becoming a nanny

Nannies, also known as 'home childcarers', look after children of any age in the child’s home.

Nannies do not have to register with Ofsted. However, they can choose to register voluntarily. This means that parents may be able to get help with childcare costs.

See information about becoming a nanny and running your business and the Ofsted registration process.

Nannies registered with Ofsted must follow these requirements.

Childcare sufficiency within Enfield

If you would like to find out more about Childcare Sufficiency within Enfield, please see the Enfield Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2022 to 2023 (PDF, 1208.95 KB). This is a study that Enfield Council regularly carries out in relation to the supply and demand for childcare.

Key demographic factors affecting the Enfield locality childcare market

The following paper presents an analysis (as of autumn 2019) which focuses on how demographic and socio-economic factors may continue to affect forthcoming localised demand for childcare places, and the 3 types of funded early years entitlements.

2019 Childcare Sufficiently Demographic and Socio-Economic updated paper (PDF, 330.63 KB).

Childcare and job readiness programmes

Introduction to childcare taster training programme

The course is delivered over 5 weeks in 2-hourly sessions once a week (10 hours in total). It is designed as an introduction to those interested in working within the early years sector. The course covers the following:

• Introduction to childcare in Enfield and career pathways
• Welfare and safeguarding requirements
• Managing behaviour and SEND
• Child protection awareness
• The role of the practitioner and good practice

Cost: This course is funded by the Early Years’ Service to be delivered to parents of Enfield Primary schools and PVI settings. For all other provisions and out of borough settings please contact eytraining@enfield.gov.uk.

The job readiness programme

The course is delivered over 4 weeks in 2-hourly sessions once per week (8 hours in total). It is designed to support individuals in their journey of seeking employment. The course is not restricted to working in early years but rather a generic course covering employment. The course covers the following:

• Job readiness and mindset
• CV workshop
• Social media and job hunting
• Interview techniques and behaviours

Cost: This course is funded by the Early Years’ Service to be delivered to parents of Enfield Primary schools and PVI settings. For all other provisions and out of borough settings please contact eytraining@enfield.gov.uk.

Both courses are interactive with case studies and opportunities for learners to share ideas and offer thought provoking discussions. We use a variety of teaching styles and adapt each course to meet the needs of the learners. Each courses come with a certificate of attendance and handouts/ PowerPoint presentations are emailed to each learner following the session.

If you would like to find out more information or would like to book a course to be delivered please email: eytraining@enfield.gov.uk.