Childminding
The Early Years team works to support people to become childminders in Reading.
To work as a childminder with children from birth to five in Reading you must also:
- Attend a briefing session (see below)
- Complete a relevant training course such as Childminder Introductory Training
- Attend an approved 12 hour paediatric first aid and 3 hour universal safeguarding training course
What you need to know
To become a childminder you must:
- Enjoy being with children and have patience and warmth
- Gain an understanding of child development; follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. These are standards you must meet for the development and care of children up to age five
- Be able to support children with specific needs, such as food allergies, asthma or speech delay
- Be able to keep records, for example, records of a child’s learning
- Know how to keep your own accounts and pay your income tax
Not everyone can become a childminder or childcarer. Some things can disqualify you from registering as a childminder or childcarer:
- If you’ve been barred from working with children
- If you live in the same home as someone who is disqualified
- If you’ve been refused registration in the past.
Please contact us at childminding@reading.gov.uk for details of childminder briefings and how to book your attendance.
Useful documents
Early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders
Course cost: £150 for Reading Borough Council residents (£200 for others).
This introductory course is currently being delivered in person and all three sessions must be attended. There are no assignments, only what you need to prepare for your registration visit from Ofsted.
This course prepares learners in setting up and establishing a childminding business and is run by qualified tutors experienced in childminding and early years practice.
Subjects covered:
- Early Years Foundation Stage
- Being healthy and staying safe
- Learning environment
- Inclusion
- Behaviour
- The business side of childminding
Course information
This training will comprise of completing part of the course in your own time and attending a session at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU (committee room 1) on 21 October 2026 from 9.30am-1.30pm
Booking (or if you have any queries):
Contact: childminding@reading.gov.uk or 0118 937 3168.
Read the training cancellation policy here.
You should take into consideration the time it will take to complete the mandatory training and preparation work required before you are able to start working as a childminder.
It is not practical for babies or children to attend these sessions.
For safeguarding information to go to the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
For information on the Early Years Foundation Stage visit the Foundation Years website.
Visit the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) website.
To register as a childminder you will need to complete the Ofsted application process.
Registering usually takes up to:
- 12 weeks for childminders and home childcarers
- 25 weeks for a childcare provider on domestic or non-domestic premises.
Further information can be found here.
Childminders in Reading are offered support and information from the Early Years Team to help them meet regulatory requirements.
Childminders in Reading can also join our Childminder Partnership to receive enhanced support to raise the standards of their provision.
Childminder Partnership is FREE until your first Ofsted inspection and includes:
- Termly advisory support in your own home – with help around policies and procedures, signposting to local informationand support with inspection preparation
- Regular childminder networks
- Wide range of training
- Business advice – funded spaces available, local childcare market, support with advertising and help managing risk and change
- Telephone support
- Dedicated email contact
Contact us childminding@reading.gov.uk
This is a chance to meet, chat and discuss topical items of interest with your peers and early years advisors. These meetings ensure that you are kept up to date with any legislative changes and Ofsted requirements that may have an impact on your practise. A portion of the meeting is used to provide CPD.
Attendance at these meetings can be counted as part of your professional development and evidence towards the Leadership and Management aspect of Ofsted inspections.
- Funding calendar
- Funding FAQ
- GDPR
- Language monitoring tool
- Newsletter
- Partnership agreement
- Policies
- Portal guidance
- Providers agreement
- Parental agreements
- Trackers
Be part of something BIG
For more information about early years careers, visit the Government’s Early Years Careers website.