Childminder Guides
Free Paperwork | Free Contracts | Paperwork & Admin | Marketing & Communication | Pre-Reg Advice | Getting Ready for your Ofsted Inspection | Inspections | Childminding Assistants | Safeguarding | ICO | Learning & Development | Learning Journeys | Preparing Children for School | Planning | Outside Play | Evidence Quality Teaching | Teaching Maths | Working with Parents | Parent Partnerships | Sharing Learning with Parents | Food & Health | Resources | Behaviour | Risk Assessments | SEND | Reflecting on your Provision | | Scotland
What's New?
We have over 500 childminder guides and resources. Find out what's new or updated in this section.
Support for Childminders
Read about some of the help and support for childminders provided by Childcare.co.uk including guides on setting up as a childminder.
FREE Childminder Paperwork
We believe childminders shouldn't have to pay for paperwork so have created free downloadable paperwork for childminders including over 25 statutory and non-statutory forms, accounts & recording keeping documents and lots more. Plus free policies and procedures for childminders. We also have a free 126 page comprehensive Childminder Organiser available for all childminders.
Contracts, Terms & Conditions, sample Policies & Procedures and Permissions
All the information and paperwork you need to write your own contracts, terms and conditions, fees policy and permissions documents.
FREE Childminder Insurance
Find out how Childcare.co.uk gold members can enjoy free childminder insurance including £10m Public Liability insurance, £10m Employers' Liability Insurance, £100,000 Professional Indemnity insurance, free Loss of Revenue & Suspension Cover and Legal Expenses cover.
Childminder Safety Blog
Free Childminder Safety Blog with lots of useful information on keeping children safe whilst in your care.
The Ofsted Early Years Inspection Handbook
Ofsted New Inspection Framework - Q&A
Learning & Development at Inspection - Q&A
Preparing for the Early Years Inspection
Developing Children’s Vocabulary in the Early Years
Reading to Early Years Children
Early Years Outcomes
Five chapter series on Early Years Outcomes
Paperwork and Admin
How to Register as a Childminder in England 
- Free 6 Chapter guide including video tutorial, evidence audit, registration checklists, business management tips, advertising your childminding business, business sustainability, time management & organisation, interviewing new parents
Paperwork for Childminders - 42 page guide to statutory and recommended documents that every childminder needs.
Toy and Equipment Cleaning Rota
Paperwork for the Childcare Register 
Marketing and Communication
30 hours funding
How to make the most of 30 hours funding - Chapter 1
30 hours funding - Chapter 2
Pre-Registration Advice and Support
Pre-Registration Advice for Childminders
Getting Ready for your Ofsted Inspection
Getting Ready for your Ofsted Inspection
Planning for Inspection - Aiming for Outstanding
Evidence of Compliance with the EYFS
Writing your Self Evaluation Form
Self Evaluation & Action Planning
Self Evaluation & Action Planning for 2018
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Inspections
An Outstanding Ofsted Inspection
Dealing with Inspection Outcomes
Unannounced Ofsted Inspections
Top 10 Tips for a Successful Ofsted Inspection
Understanding the New Ofsted Inspection Requirements - Chapter 1
Understanding the New Ofsted Inspection Requirements - Chapter 2
Understanding the New Ofsted Inspection Requirements - Chapter 3
Preparing for an Inspection 2017/2018
The Revised Ofsted Inspection Framework 2019 - Chapter 1
The Revised Ofsted Inspection Framework 2019 - Chapter 2
Childminding Assistants and Staff
Registering a Childminder Assistant
Working with a Childminding Assistant (includes a useful checklist)
Staff Contract (example) [PDF]
Staff Contract (example) [Microsoft Word]
Working with a self-employed assistant
Managing Childminder Assistants - [New 25th June 2020]
Safeguarding
Safeguarding Update [July 2020]
Safeguarding Update [April 2019]
Safeguarding and Staff [Updated July 2020]
Safeguarding Staff Audit [New July 2020]
Safeguarding File Contents [Updated July 2020]
Safeguarding Audit [Updated July 2020]
Parental Responsibility [Updated July 2020]
Childminders and Online Safety
Writing a Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Quick Reference Cards
Teaching Children about Safeguarding
Keeping Children Safe by Age and Stage
Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and GDPR
CPD Training (includes certificate)
Data Protection Update - GDPR 2017
GDPR Training for Childminders
Learning and Development
Transitions - Settling in Process
Working with other Settings CPD (includes CPD certificate)
Strengthen Links with other Settings
Child Development - part 4 - 2 Year Progress Check
Communication & Language Toolkit
Learning Journeys
Learning Journeys - Introduction
Learning Journeys - At the Start
Learning Journeys - Gathering Information
Learning Journeys - Observation
Learning Journeys - Assessment and CoEL
Learning Journeys - Using Early Years Outcomes
Learning Journeys - Individual Planning
Learning Journeys - Group Planning
Learning Journeys - Continuous Provision Planning
Learning Journeys - Tracking Progress
Learning Journeys - All About Me Now
Learning Journeys - Progress Check at 2
Learning Journeys - Evaluation
Characteristics of Effective Learning - Chapter 1
Characteristics of Effective Learning - Chapter 2
Characteristics of Effective Learning - Chapter 3
Child Development - 2 Year Progress Check
Using Learning Journeys to Engage Children
Using Learning Journeys to Engage Parents
Learning Journey Toolkit
Chapter 1 - Learning Journey Toolkit
Chapter 2 - Learning Journey Toolkit
Chapter 3 - Learning Journey Toolkit
Preparing Children for School
Preparing Children for School - Intro
Preparing Children for School - Intro
Preparing Children for School - Chapter 1
Preparing Children for School - Chapter 2
Caring for Older Children
Caring for School Aged Children
Planning
Types of Planning for the EYFS
Annual Planning for Childminders
Individual Planning for Childminders
Planning for different types of Play
Continuous Provision Planning
Over 50 continuous provision and activity guides, closely linked to the 7 areas of learning of the EYFS
The 7 areas of learning - for Childminders
Group Planning (2020)
The new Childcare.co.uk 2020 group planning has been written with Ofsted’s new Early Years Inspection handbook in mind and the expectation to show intent, implementation and impact.
These 2020 planning guides – an introduction guide to talk you through the rationale of the new inspection framework and one guide for each month of the year – will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge rich curriculum confidently. Your job will be to ensure your planning is sequenced effectively for the individual child.
Ofsted have clearly stated in their recent training and blogs that early years providers do not need to show evidence of written planning during inspection, but do need to be able to discuss how they teach children about, for example, the world around them, similarities and differences and world festivals and celebrations.
2020 Group Planning Introduction
Group Planning Archive
These are group planning guides from previous years but many are still relevant and useful
View the group planning archive
Outside Play
Outside All Year Play - Spring
Outside All Year Play - Summer
Outside All Year Play - Autumn
Outside All Year Play - Winter
Outside Play Planning - Chapter 1
Outside Play Planning - Chapter 2
Outside Play Planning - Chapter 3
Garden Learning Zones - Chapter 1
Garden Learning Zones - Chapter 2
Garden Learning Zones - Chapter 3
Evidencing Quality Teaching
Teaching and Planning for Children’s Learning – an overview
British Values - Quick Reference
Teaching in the Prime Areas of Learning
Teaching the Specific Areas of Learning - Part 1
Teaching the Specific Areas of Learning - Part 2
Using Children’s Interests in Teaching
Teaching – Introducing New Learning
Teaching - an Introduction to Themed and Continuous Provision Planning
Teaching - Resources for Learning
Teaching - Literacy & Numeracy
Teaching Maths
Maths Audit - Improve Maths in your Provision
Working with Parents
Parent Partnerships
Welcome Booklet [NEW 29th June 2020]
Managing Arrivals & Departures
More Ideas for Building Relationships
Parent/Childminder Consultations
Sharing Learning with Parents
Sharing Information with Parents
Chapter 1 - Observation, Assessment and Planning Information
Chapter 2 - Sharing Information about Outings
The 7 areas of learning – for Parents
Parents guide to the Childcare Register
Sharing Learning with Home - part 1
Sharing Learning with Home - part 2
Children Learning Through Play Here
Food and Health
Food and Drink - Breakfast and Snacktime
Food and Drink - Risk Assessments and Sharing Information with Parents
Food and Drink - Teaching Children to Make Health Choices
Food and Drink - Teaching Children to Make Health Choices - Part 2
Food and Drink - Teaching Children to Make Health Choices - Part 3
Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds
Resources
Resources for Babies and Toddlers
Resources for 1 to 2 Year Olds
Resources for Pre-School Children
Resourcing Multiculturalism and Diversity
Resources linked to the 7 Areas of Learning
Managing Behaviour
Supporting the Challenging Child
Children's Behaviour
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Behaviour
Chapter 3 - Planning to Support Behaviour
Chapter 5 - Promoting Positive Behaviour
Chapter 7 - Supporting Strong Emotions
Chapter 8 - Supporting the Challenging Child
Chapter 9 - Common Behaviours Unpicked
Chapter 10 - Biting and Fighting
Risk Assessments
Writing Risk Assessments - part 2
Writing Risk Assessments - part 3
Writing Risk Assessments - part 4
Writing Risk Assessments - part 5
Risky Play in Early Years Provision
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Caring for Children with Special Education Needs (SEND) Introduction
Children with SEND at Inspection
Listening to Children and Parents
Planning for the individual child
Managing Individual Children's Needs
Promoting Equality of Opportunity
Reflecting on your Provision
The Observation, Assessment & Planning Cycle
Planning and Resourcing the Early Years Environment
Scotland Childminding Guides
These guides have been specially produced for Scottish childminders.
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