Childminders are one of the most popular forms of childcare in the UK. There are over 80,000 registered childminders in England alone.

• A childminder is paid to look after a child in their home - not yours.
  
  
• Childminding appeals to many parents because they see it as the least expensive option but the cost has crept up as the quality of childcare provided and expected has become more exacting.
  
  
• The 1989 Children's Act states that anyone who is paid to look after a child under eight for more than two hours a day in their home must be registered with the local authorities. (This does not include close relatives, aunts, grandparents etc.)
  
  
• The Children's Act allows a childminder to look after no more than three children under five with only one of those children being under a year. If the children are older a childminder can look after a total of six children under eight, as long as no more than three are under five years old. This figure includes the carer's own child or children. The local authority has a right to set a limit to the number of minded children over the age of eight.
  
  
• Childminders do not have to be trained in childcare but all newly registered childminders have to have a First Aid qualification and to undergo a six week "Introducing Childminding Practice" course which they gain a certificate for.

Childminders are now inspected by Ofsted. This happened on the 1st September 2001 when the Early Years Directorate of OFSTED, the Office for Standards in Education, took over responsibility for the registration and inspection of childminders in England.
Ofsted is now responsible for:

• inspecting potential childminders
• registering childminders
• carrying out regular inspections after registration

Ofsted have also introduced the National Standards for Childminding which have been introduced in England and which childminders must conform to before they can be registered and against which OFSTED will inspect the childminders.

Childminder Checks:

• The childminder has to be interviewed by social services to check their home is safe, secure, warm, clean and has suitable equipment such as fireguards and stair gates. Anyone over the age of sixteen living with them will be interviewed with regards to health, and whether they have been involved with any form of violence, or child or drug abuse.
  
• The police run a criminal check on anyone in the house over sixteen but someone who is married to an ex-offender will not be automatically turned down. The assessing officer (the Under Eights Officer) will assess the relevance of the offence and its effect on the childminder's suitability.
  
• The local authority inspects childminders annually to make sure they are keeping up their standards of safety and hygiene.
  
• Remember: registration does not mean the childminder will provide a certain standard of childcare. It may simply mean that they have passed police and household safety checks. Registered childminders do not have to have any childcare qualifications and, although they are often mothers themselves, it is up to you to determine their suitability in this area. The Children's Act does not define what makes a person 'fit' to care for a child, however the Department of Health has issued guidelines to local authorities. They suggest officers should take into account the applicants experience, any qualifications or training, whether she can give consistent care, if she is mentally and physically stable and carries no record of abuse with children.

The National Childminding Association - Tel: 020 8464 6164 - www.NCMA.org.uk:

• The National Childminding Association has worked hard to develop good quality affordable childcare. They have consulted closely with government to formulate the NCMA's Approved Childminding Network.
  
• To belong to the network the childminder takes two training courses called Developing Childminding Practice (DCP1 and DCP2). The second Development course involves educating three and four year olds which enables the childminder to be accredited by OFSTED and to be an 'early education provider' thus offering her charges the same sort of education they would receive at a pre-school nursery. NCMA network childminders receive regular visits from their co-ordinator.
  
• Parents looking for a certain level of commitment from the childminder would do well to look for an NCMA member. You can ask your local authority's Under Eights officer for a list of NCMA members along with the others registered minders.

Finding a registered Childminder in England and Wales

• You can source a childminder by logging on to www.childcarelink.gov.uk or by calling freephone 0800 096 0296 to get details of your local Children's Information Service.
• You can contact your local Children's information service which will be run by your local authority. They will have all the information regarding childminders in your area including an up to date list of registered childminders.
• The National Childminding Association may be able to help you find an NAMCW registered childminder in your area.
  
• Bear in mind that good childminders get snapped up very quickly and you should start a couple of months in advance to make sure you find someone with an available place.

Cost:
Costs vary enormously as childminders can set their own rates. They are self-employed so you are not responsible for childminders tax and national insurance. Charges range from between £1.70 and £3.00 per hour. Some childminders will charge less for a second child.

• Check what your childminder includes in her hourly rate and what she considers to be an extra.
  
• If your childminder is a member of an approved childminding network they can receive government funding, which means that if your child is three or four they may be eligible for a free part time place.

Some points to think about when you go and see a prospective childminder:

• As with anything there are great childminders and not such great ones. The chief concern for parents is not to leave the vetting to the local authority. You must find a childminder whose methods of childcare are similar to yours.
  
• Ascertain that the minder's home is safe, warm and welcoming, has plenty of toys, is well kept but not too tidy (children need to be able to make a muddle) has enough light and fresh air and a garden or nearby parks for outings. Then tackle issues such as discipline, television, nutrition etc. The key is finding out whether the childminder is committed to the needs of each child and that your child is not going to be pushed into second or third places by the demands of the household.
  
• Childminders will have their own methods of doing things and many will have been doing them this way for years - they will not change to suit you so make sure you are happy with your childminder's practices from the start.
  
• Before you start looking think what other ages you would be happy to have your child with. Eg: Would you be happy for your child to be mixing with older children or if you are placing a baby would you prefer it to be with younger children for a more peaceful atmosphere etc.
  
• Check that the childminder has experience of your age of child.
  
• Although it is not a requirement that a childminder is qualified you need to check on her experience - if she has bothered to take any child related courses it shows a certain commitment, which is reassuring.
  
• Check the childminder has an up to date First Aid Certificate.
  
• Check what sort of activities the childminder offers - does she have good knowledge of the local playgroups and parks?
  
• How does the childminder keep control of the children and ensure road safety when she is out and about.
  
• What is her policy on television watching.
  
• What is her policy on sick children?
  
• If she is a mother ask about her children and try to meet them - if they are well adjusted and polite it is a great recommendation.
  
• Find out what her policy is on discipline and what sort of house rules she enforces.
  
• Find out if there are any other people who are likely to be around in the day when your child is there and make sure you meet them.
  
• Most importantly meet the other parents. A respectable childminder will be glad to put you in touch and, if you can, go and meet them in person. A face-to-face chat is always more likely to be frank.
  
• If your childminder says that she is registered, check that she is through your local council and ask to see originals of all documentation.
  
• If you decide to appoint a childminder to look after your child make sure you draw up a contract as you would with a childcarer in your own home.
  

Points to help you decide if a childminder is for you:

• A childminder is often less expensive than other childcare options.
  
• Childminders can often provide a homely environment.
  
• Remember that the attention and time of a childminder will be split between all the children in her care
  
• Childminders can provide a degree of flexibility that nurseries are unable to. However, if you are looking for this kind of flexibility make sure you negotiate with your childminder before you sign on the dotted line.
  
• Childminders can be a good solution for after-school care.
  
• Childminders are registered and inspected however many do not have to have any childcare qualifications and there are no training requirements.
  
• Childminders have their own way of doing things and parents have to fit in with the childminder's methods of childcare.

Mums own tips on childminders:
"It really pays to shop around and wait till the right place comes up. I've had the same childminder now for three years, both of my daughters have been cared for by Sharon and she has two girls nearly the same ages. She's really more of an aunt and they are really fond of her and her kids" Debbie Austin, Margate

If you have any tips on childminders please email help@bestbear.co.uk