Become a childcare provider
If you enjoy spending time with young children and you’re passionate about helping them grow and learn then you could have what it takes to work in childcare.
In the UK, a drive is under way to increase the number of men working with the youngest children in the education system. It is important for our children to see men in care giving roles.
In Derby city, we are particularly short of childminders due to our ever increasing population and staff nearing retirement age. Childminding is a flexible career that can fit around a modern lifestyle.
We can provide you with guidance on how to become a childminder or how to set up a childcare setting like a nursery, playgroup or before and after school club. We will guide you through the Ofsted registration process and help you set up and develop your business.
We provide 1-2-1 support throughout the whole process. Becoming a new childcare provider is a useful step-by-step guide to setting up in business.
To find out more and have your questions answered, please call 01332 640758 or email fis@derby.gov.uk.
Childminder Start-up Grant
The Childminder Start-up Grant scheme is now open for applications and will support new childminders by providing them with grant funding, worth £7.2m over the next two financial years, helping childminders with the cost of setting up their own businesses.
The scheme will be available to all new childminders who have completed their registration on or after 15 March 2023. Individuals who have previously been registered as childminders and wish to re-register into the sector may also apply for the scheme. There must be at least a 12-month gap between the date of their previous registration being cancelled and their new registration being finalised.
As previously announced, the DfE will offer £600 to new childminders registering with Ofsted, and £1200 to new childminders registering with a childminder agency. £1200 grants will be paid in two instalments, with a 6-month limit on claiming the second instalment. Childminders must apply for the grant within two months of registering as a childminder, or within two months of the scheme launching.
The DfE has provided some frequently asked questions to support you with the Childminder Start-up Grant scheme.
Princes Trust
The Princes Trust work with people aged between 18 and 30 years old and offer business support and advice. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Freephone 0800 842 84.
- Childminders – who care for children from birth onwards, looking after them in their own home and offer an all year round service
- Crèches – which usually care for children from birth to five years and are generally provided for parents attending courses or sports activities
- Day nurseries – which usually care for children from birth to five years between 8am and 6pm each weekday and are open all year round. Some provide care before and after school and in the school holidays
- Home carers/Nannies – who come to the child's home and are employed by the family
- Pre-school playgroups – which mainly care for children aged two to five years old. Some pre-school playgroups offer part-time places with either morning or afternoon sessions, and other offer longer sessions such as 9.00am to 3.00pm. Pre-schools playgroups only run during term time.
- Out of school care – such as before-school and after-school clubs and school holiday schemes.
The Department for Education has released a series of updates and new publications relating to early years: