Working in childcare

Childminders have flexibility in how and where they work.

There are 2 main ways to register, depending on your childcare setting.

1. Childminding from home (domestic premises)

• If you're working alone or with fewer than 5 people, this is considered childminding on domestic premises.
• If 5 or more people are working together in a home to provide childcare, this is classed as childcare on domestic premises (a type of group childcare).

You can choose to register with:

• Ofsted as a childcare provider on domestic premises, or
• a childminder agency.

Register with Ofsted on GOV.UK

2. Childminding from other locations (non-domestic premises)

If you plan to provide childcare somewhere other than your home. For example in a community centre or village hall - you must register as a childminder without domestic premises.

This means:

• you cannot use any home for childcare at any time (including for drop-offs or pick-ups).
• you must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Read the full guidance on how to register as a childminder without domestic premises.