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Setting up childcare provision

Becoming a childminder

2 boys with a lady

Thinking about becoming a childminder in Enfield?

A registered childminder is a person who looks after at least one child under the age of eight, to whom they are not related to, for more than two hours a day for a reward. This could be from domestic or non-domestic premises.

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

We offer pre-registration support:

online pre-registration training sessions
EYFS documentation and sample templates
1:1 support from an experienced Early Years Advisor

Once registered we offer:

vacancy advertising on our Family Information Directory
access to childcare funding entitlement if registered on the Early Years register
childcare funding entitlement marketing materials
further training / childminding forums which can be accessed through the early years training programme
continuing support and advice from an experienced Early Years Advisor

Once registered you can apply for the DfE £600 start up grant, however this will be ending soon. Please refer to the following link start up grant. for further information.

Where to start ?

Online training sessions:

Become a childminder: pre-registration briefing

Cost :£9:99
Date: Wednesday 29 January 2025
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. You will receive further details a few days before the pre-registration briefing session.

Online childminding training

Cost: £39.99
Dates: Monday 17 March, Tuesday 18 March and Wednesday 19 March 2025
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 aspects 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

Domestic premises

You do not necessarily need planning permission to work from a domestic premises. If no material change of use occurs, then permission is not required. It is possible however to create a material change of use while not changing the primary use of the dwelling. If the answer to any of the following questions is 'yes', then permission will probably be needed:

Will the domestic premises 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?

If you are in doubt you may apply to your council for a Certificate of Lawful Use for the proposed activity, to confirm it is not a change of use and still the lawful use.

Alternatively, if there is a material change of use then you can apply for planning permission to change the use of the property.

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 unsure, then it is advised you contact your Local Planning Authority for more help. They can be contacted at planning.support@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.

Non-domestic premises

You should check with your local planning department whether you need planning permission to operate at a non-domestic premises. They can be contacted at planning.support@enfield.gov.uk.

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):

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.

Setting up childcare provision