Becoming A Childminder

Childcare is big business. The market for children's day care nurseries in the UK is worth around £3b, in 2003 -- up an amazing eight-fold since 1990. With the number of working and lone parents continuing to rise, there ought to be no shortage of custom for anybody wanting to become a childminder and run their own little nursery from their own home.

The first step for any prospective childminder is to visit the government's Child Care Link website. From there you can contact the relevant department within your local authority, which will ask you to attend a briefing session and then complete an 'Introducing Childminding Practice' course.

Would-be childminders also have to register with OFSTED in England (other bodies cover Wales, Scotland and Ireland). The registration process involves a home inspection, an interview and police checks for all adult members of the household. You also have to gain a paediatric first aid qualification. Once the courses and formalities are completed, it's generally a case of waiting for parents to spot your details on the local authority's log of childcare providers.

Admittedly, childminding has never been highly paid. According to the National Childminding Association (NCMA), the average quoted rate for a full-time childminder was just £2.50 an hour during 2002/03. However, charges approaching £6 an hour can be levied depending on your area, the age of the child, the hours involved (before and after school usually come at a premium) and what the parent has (or has not) agreed to supply (e.g. nappies, food).

Taking on more than one child is the obvious way to improve a childminding income. In England for instance, childminders are allowed to care for up to six children (including their own) under eight years old. However, only three of these children can be under five, and of these, usually no more than one child may be under one year old.

Childminders also enjoy various financial benefits. For example, newly registered childminders can receive a start-up grant (averaging £300) to help cover the costs of setting up their business (e.g. insurance, safety equipment, toys, NCMA membership).

In addition, for a full-time childminder (i.e. working 40 or more hours a week), one third of the household gas and electricity bills, one tenth of the water rates, one tenth of the council tax and one tenth of the rent (but not mortgage payments) can be deemed an allowable expense for income tax purposes. Part-time childminders enjoy similar allowances but on a reduced scale.

For non-working mums (and dads!) already looking after their own small children, becoming a childminder seems a reasonably straightforward way to boost the household income. Your day-to-day activities are not likely to change too much, running costs are low and, once a paying parent is recruited, the income should be reliable and steady. But if you're currently struggling to look after your own little monsters, you may want to think twice before applying!

More: ChildcareLink | National Child Minding Association | OFSTED | Saving For Children