England is currently undergoing one of the biggest shake ups in childminding registration in decades. New legislation is expanding the definition of what a childminder is, and where childminders can work. In this article we'll discuss what this new legislative opportunity means for childminders who want to open businesses outside their homes, and how tiney is launching new pathways to help people get started!
Until now, the legal definition of a childminder has been 'a person who works with children for more than 2 hours a day in their own home for reward'. We absolutely know that childminding involves so much more than this. You are the child’s superhero, their educator, their friend, their supporter, their carer, their brain architect, their chef and their outdoor adventure curator; the list is endless. While none of this is changing, in the near future the legal definition IS set to change.
Our community of childminders
We are hugely proud of our mighty community of tiney childminders. Having been in early years for very many years, we are acutely aware of the challenges that frequent changes to our sector brings. tiney childminders embrace these changes, and are incredibly resilient and open to new ideas. This is why we are very excited to let you know about some changes to childminder registrations in England!
The changes
Back in May this year, the government announced plans to enhance childminding. Here is an overview of the changes due to take place:
- Creating a new category of childminder, ‘childminder without domestic premises’, who would work entirely from non-domestic premises;
- Give childminders with domestic premises and providers of childcare on domestic premises greater flexibilities to spend more time operating outside of domestic premises, such as a community hall or school; and
- Increase from 3 to 4 the total number of people that can work together under a childminder’s registration (including the childminder).
- It will also allow for those who are currently registered as ‘childcare on domestic premises’ (CODPs) to continue operating with a minimum of 4 people; new CODP registrations will need a minimum of 5 people.
What this means for me
At tiney, we feel that this can offer our childminders some really exciting opportunities. To clarify the above:
- Childminders will now be able to provide early education and care for 100% of the time on a non domestic premises if they choose to. This would class them as a “Non Domestic Childminder’. This means that you would not be registered at your home address. The EYFS requirements for childminders will still apply.
- The current 50/50 option will change to be more flexible. With this option, this means that you would register your home premises, and would be classed as a ‘Domestic Childminder’, but you can also register a non-domestic premises where you can choose how much time you spend at each, and you will not be restricted to needing to be at home for 50% of the time.
- For both domestic and non-domestic childminders, the number of adults that can work together at any one time, will increase from 3 to 4.
- Therefore, any new Childcare on Domestic Premises (CODP) settings will increase from 4 adults to 5.
Introducing our new pathways and why we're excited!
Having these new flexibilities in place allows you to continue to provide the nurturing family oriented experiences that we know and love, whilst also allowing you, your families and children greater flexibility. These changes also offer opportunities to expand your business, and raise the profile of the childminding sector. At tiney we have identified two main routes for childminders looking to operate as a childminder on non domestic premises; our tiney community nursery offer will provide a fully supported service for childminders to launch community centred childcare businesses from non-domestic premises. The second will be our tiney workplace pathway which will enable companies or people owning or renting a workspace to offer a childcare programme at their place of work.
Find out more
Open your own tiney workplace nursery
Open your own tiney community nursery
