Latest Childminder News and Updates

This new guidance links continuous provision planning to learning intentions. It has been provided to support early years providers recognise the amazing flexibility of their continuous provision:

Linking your Continuous Provision to Learning Intentions

Additional Policies & Documents updated in Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Ofsted Update

During January 2022, Ofsted will be contacting some registered early years childminders who have inspections overdue or not recently been inspected to ask for details on current working arrangements and contact information. Selected childminders will receive a link via email to a Microsoft form for completion. Ofsted will only send this to the email address registered with them. The aim of this exercise is to capture up-to-date contact details and minding arrangements to help inform and direct future inspection activity. Ofsted would like to encourage those contacted to please respond as soon as possible. Approximately 1700 childminders will be emailed during January and they will contact more groups of childminders each month during the first half of 2022.

12th January 2022

New free webinars for February and March now available for registration

23rd December 2021

Introduction to 2022 Planning added to Childminder Guides

January 2022 Planning added to Childminder Guides

16th December 2021

The DfE has updated their Covid-19 FAQ for Childminders

2nd December 2021

Care Plan updated in Free Childminder Paperwork - 14 new free guides about care plans

30th November 2021

Winter Wellbeing Pack added including Winter Group Planning, Winter Activities and Covid-19 guidance

Creative Steps Magazine - Winter 2021 issue now available online free for gold members

29th November 2021

December 2021 Planning added to Childminder Guides

10th November 2021

Child Registration Form updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Emergency Contact Form updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Statutory Permissions Form updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Non-Prescribed Medication Admission Permission Form added to Free Childminder Paperwork

Leaving an Assistant Unsupervised with a Child Permissions Form added to Free Childminder Paperwork

Sharing information with other Settings and Professionals Permissions Form added to Free Childminder Paperwork

Childminder Parent-Provider Contract updated in Childminding Contracts

Childminder Contract Completion Guidance added to Childminding Contracts

Contract Addendum updated in Childminding Contracts

Contract Termination Letter updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

9th November 2021

All GDPR documents have been updated.

GDPR Q&A updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Planning for GDPR updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Data Audit updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Data Breach Register updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Data Sharing Agreements updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Writing a Privacy Notice updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Data Protection & Children updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Photographs of Children & GDPR updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Data Protection & Staff updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Training your staff about GDPR updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

3rd November 2021

Free Childminder Organiser - 79 page 2022 childminder organiser now available to all members

The 3 I's: Intent, Implementation and Impact - added to EYFS Resources

23rd October 2021

November 2021 Planning added to Childminder Guides

14th October 2021

Progress Check at 2 guides, sample form and sample targetted plan have been updated

Progress Check at 2 - Guide for 2021

Progress Check at 2 - Guide for Parents

Progress Check at 2 - Sample Form

Progress Check at 2 - Sample Targeted Plan

27th September 2021

October 2021 Planning added to Childminder Guides

20th September 2021

Permissions Form in Word and PDF format updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Childminder Safeguarding Q&A - updated

Sleeping Babies & Children - updated in Information Sheets for Parents

10th September 2021

Using Birth to 5 Matters in Practice - free video discussion with Donna Gaywood - Project Coordinator for Birth to 5 Matters

9th September 2021

Childcare.co.uk have written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families in England, Vicky Ford, in relation to comments she made in an exchange in the House of Commons with shadow children and early years minister Tulip Siddiq regarding a decline in the number of childcare providers since the start of 2001. We have received a number of concerns from our registered childminder community that the comments are dismissive and disrespectful, appearing to imply that childminders are less important than nursery settings. Read more

7th September 2021

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures added to Childminder Policies

5th September 2021

Parents guide to the EYFS updated in EYFS Resources

Retention Periods for Documents - information for parents has been updated

29th August 2021

September 2021 Planning added to Childminder Guides

EYFS Changes 2021 added to EYFS Resources - 26 page overview to the changes.

21st August 2021

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2021) has been updated to include the requirement: ‘The provider must promote the good health, including the oral health, of children attending the setting.’ EYFS 2021 requirement 3.45, statutory from 1st September 2021.

We have produced 27 Oral Health Resources and guides for childcare providers to help them comply with the new requirements.

15th August 2021

Covid-19 Self-Isolation Changes from 16th August 2021 including 2 DfE Q&A documents

11th August 2021

Supporting Transitions updated in Childminder Guides

Engaging Parents in their Child’s Learning added to Childminder Guides

Engaging Children in their Learning added to Childminder Guides

30th July 2021

New 7 chapter series on Learning and Development added to Childminder Guides

Learning and Development - Introduction

Learning and Development - All About Me and Starting Points

Learning and Development - Observation and Assessment

Learning and Development - Individual Planning

Learning and Development - Group Planning

Learning and Development - Continuous Provision Planning

Learning and Development - Evaluation

29th July 2021

August 2021 Planning added to Childminder Guides

Resources linked to the 7 Areas of Learning updated in Childminder Guides

Developing Children’s Vocabulary in the Early Years updated in Childminder Guides

Babysitting Checklist updated in Childminder Guides

Floor Space Requirements added to Childminder Guides

28th July 2021

Ofsted answer your questions about the revised EYFS 2021 - Watch our video discussion with senior Ofsted inspectors

9th July 2021

New - Childminder Policies and Procedures for the revised EYFS from September 2021

New - Series of 89 Parent Information Guides

7th July 2021

You can now download personalised webinar certificates for webinars you have attended from the My Certificates page.

30th June 2021

July 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

23rd June 2021

Our biggest update ever!

Changes to the EYFS from September 2021 - Comprehensive guide featuring all the information you need to know with supporting resources and documents

Curriculum by Age - 5 new guides

Planning Overview - 8 new guides

Provision Planning Guides - 7 new guides

Themed Planning - 43 new guides

Continuous Provision Planning - 24 new guides

Schemas and Schema Play Guides - 15 new guides

Child Development Guidance - 2 new guides

Quick Assessment Checks - 10 new guides

Assessment Toolkits - 9 new guides

Progress Check at 2 - new guide, sample form and sample targeted plan

26th May 2021

June 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

Planning Permission updated in Childminder Guides

Childminders and Jury Service added to Childminder Guides

Managing a Safeguarding Complaint added to Childminder Guides

14th May 2021

Exclusive Video Discussion with Dr Julian Grenier - Lead Writer of Development Matters (part 2). Our members' questions answered by the writer himself.

5th May 2021

Free Safeguarding Quick Reference Cards updated

28th April 2021

May 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

Contract Addendum updated in Childminder Contracts

Contract Termination Letter updated in Childminder Paperwork

Paperwork for Ofsted Registered Childminders (43 page guide) updated in Childminder Guides

Ofsted Inspection from May 2021 added to Childminder Guides

Planning Permission added to Childminder Guides

Planning Permission - Government information letter added to Childminder Guides

5th April 2021

Changes to the EYFS 2021 Q&A

25th March 2021

April 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

Ofsted inspections may restart after Easter - Read our free guide on how to deal with Ofsted inspection anxiety

19th March 2021

News - Childminders in England can now order rapid lateral flow COVID-19 tests for home delivery

10th March 2021

April 2021 Webinars added to Webinars

1st March 2021

My Profile - Please ensure that your profile is up-to-date and that you have provided us with your correct childminder registration details. We do not show your registration number to others but use the information to verify your registration status. To update your profile go to My Profile.

28th Febraury 2021

March 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

Overnight Care Childminders added to Childminder Guides

Outside Kitchen Recipes added to Childminder Guides

26th Febraury 2021

News - Early years workers and teachers will not get vaccine priority

24th February 2021

March 2021 Webinars added to Webinars

23rd January 2021

Using Learning Journeys to Engage Children updated in Childminder Guides

Using Learning Journeys to Engage Parents updated in Childminder Guides

Information for parents about the EYFS added to Childminder Guides

22nd Februay 2021

News - Reported coronavirus cases in early years settings continue to rise

16th February 2021

News - Confusion over early years vaccine priority

12th February 2021

News - DfE releases funding for trainees

10th February 2021

News - Update from DfE Early Years Stakeholder meeting

27th January 2021

The process of informing Ofsted about a serious childcare incident changes on 28th January 2021.

February 2021 group planning added to Childminder Guides

10th January 2021

Childminder Organiser 2021 updated to show correct date of Chinese New year

8th January 2021

News - Childcare.co.uk write to the Prime Minister requesting priority vaccines and access to fast, in-setting, tests for early years workers.

6th January 2021

Can school aged children of a critical worker parent attend a childminder instead of school?

Childcare.co.uk have spoken to the DfE about such a scenario and the DfE have stated that, under the current 'national lockdown: stay at home' childcare information, a school child with a critical worker parent should be able to attend their childminder if they, for example, cannot access a space at school or if parents feel it would be safer for the child to be with their childminder.

5th January 2021

Read our email newsletter to childcare providers in relation to national lockdown 3

4th January 2021

Coronavirus Risk Assessment added to Coronavirus Toolkit

26th December 2020

Updates to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in Childminder Guides

Caring for Children with Special Education Needs (SEND) Introduction

Chapter 1 - Supporting Children with SEND

Chapter 2 - Children with SEND at inspection

Chapter 3 - Listening to children and parents

Chapter 4 - Planning for children with SEND

Chapter 5 - Managing children's individual needs

Chapter 6 - Inclusion and an Audit

Chapter 7 - SENCO toolkit

Promoting Disability

Promoting Equality of Opportunity

23rd December 2020

Introduction to 2021 planning added to Childminder Guides

January 2021 group planning added to Childminder Guides

22nd December 2020

FREE Posters updated to reflect the reduction in the self-isolation period, from 14 days to 10 days, for contacts of people with a positive coronavirus test.

Things to do if a child or staff member has symptoms of Coronavirus

Coronavirus information for parents with children in childcare settings

15th December 2020

Free webinars for January 2021 added to Webinars

25th November 2020

December 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

24th November 2020

What to do if a childminder's own child has been told to self-isolate in England

14th November 2020

Free webinars for December added to Webinars

5th November 2020

Free 94 page 2021 Childminder Organiser now available for all childminders.

2nd November 2020

Retention periods for documents added to Childminder Guides

28th October 2020

November 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

26th October 2020

Exclusive video interview presentation with Dr Julian Grenier - Lead Writer of Development Matters 2020

News - Some of the things we have achieved so far during the Covid-19 pandemic

28th September 2020

October 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

23rd September 2020

DfE UPDATE: The DfE have today confirmed that the Progress Check at 2 will no longer be required during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

22nd September 2020

FREE Poster: Coronavirus information for parents with children in childcare settings

21st September 2020

New Webinar: EYFS and Development Matters 2020 (for providers in ENGLAND only)

Thursday 1st October 7.30pm
Price: FREE
Limited to 1000 places > Reserve Place
Webinar Access: Enter Webinar on the date/time once registered
Watch again: Gold members can watch again on Webinar Player

14th September 2020

The written Progress Check at 2 will be statutory again from 25th September 2020.

Read our Progress Check at 2 FAQ and download a free Progress Check at 2 sample Parent Letter, Report Form and Targeted Plan document.

12th September 2020

October Webinars added to Webinars

New free Educare training courses for gold members: Creating an Effective Communication and Language Environment and Effective Transition and Emotional Wellbeing in the Early Years

3rd September 2020

News - DfE release updated version of the non-statutory Development Matters guidance

29th August 2020

September 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

Annual Safeguarding Update added to Childminder Guides

Preparing for Local Lockdown added to Coronavirus Toolkit

Are you OK? The impact of Coronavirus added to Coronavirus Toolkit

New guides added to Top Tips for Starting School in September

September Webinars added to Webinars

4th August 2020

Childminder Contracts updated in the light of CMA open letter to early years providers

CMA Early Years Investigation FAQ for childcare providers

28th July 2020

New and Updated Safeguarding information guides:

Safeguarding Update [July 2020]

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]

Paperwork for the Childcare Register added to Childminder Guides

News - Findings of CMA investigation into the Early Years sector published

August 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

New guides added to Starting school in September

15th July 2020

New webinars added for August. Watch previous webinars on Webinar Player

Debt Management guide updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

Starting School in September - new guides added for Explaining Germs to Children and Organising your Day

3rd July 2020

Steps to Reopening Childminding Settings added to Coronavirus Toolkit

2nd July 2020

News - Updated DfE Coronavirus Guidance

News - New early adopter version of the EYFS

29th June 2020

Welcome Booklet added to Childminders Guides

25th June 2020

Managing Childminder Assistants added to Childminder Guides

July 2020 group planning added to Childminder Guides

News - British childcare industry bounces back as demand doubles

19th June 2020

Free Poster - Things to do if a child or staff member has symptoms of Coronavirus

Webinars - new free webinars added for July. Watch previous webinars on Webinar Player.

14th June 2020

News - Financial Support for Childminders

2nd June 2020

News - Expired First Aid Certificates can be extended until 30th September 2020

31st May 2020

Parent Discussions added to Childminder Toolkit

29th May 2020

Childcare.co.uk writes to government with - A plea from the early years sector for more financial support and guidance

News - Self-Employment income support scheme extended for June, July and August

27th May 2020

June 2020 Group Planning adding to Childminder Guides

26th May 2020

Steps to controlling coronavirus for early years settings

Arrivals & Departures policy updated in Childminder Policies
- Instead of informing parents that their child’s artwork can be collected at the end of the day, your policy should be adapted to say that the child will, for example, be helped to take a photograph of the artwork which can then be shared with parents.

Supporting Home Learning added to Childminder Toolkit.

Staying in Touch - Staying Safe added to Childminder Toolkit.

24th May 2020

Parent Survey added to Childminder Toolkit

21st May 2020

Free Return to Work Coronavirus training video for childminders and early years settings

19th May 2020

Cleaning and Disinfecting your Childcare Setting added to Childminder Toolkit

18th May 2020

Support Vulnerable Staff added to Childminder Toolkit

17th May 2020

Coronavirus Risk Assessment has been Updated

Staff Anxiety & Stress added to Childminder Toolkit

15th May 2020

Free Childminder Toolkit

In order to help childminders return to work after closure due to Coronavirus we have produced this FREE childminder toolkit containing free childminder contracts, free policies & procedures, free risk assessments, free paperwork, free webinars and lots more. PDF documents are free for all members and Word versions are for gold members only. All paperwork has been updated in relation to Covid-19.

12th May 2020

News - Childminders CAN now reopen on 13th May to provide childcare to the children of one household

News - Government says childminders should be prepared to reopen from 1st June

11th May 2020

News - Government releases its COVID-19 recovery strategy but childminders are left more confused than before

Returning to Work: Learning & Development - New 16 page guide to help childminders returning to work.

News - Prime Minister Boris Johnson fails to even mention the early years sector during his speech to the nation as more and more childminders and nurseries continue to shut their doors forever#

Learning Journeys - Introduction has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - At the Start has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Gathering Information has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Observation has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Assessment and CoEL has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Using Early Years Outcomes has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Individual Planning has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Group Planning has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Continuous Provision Planning has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Tracking Progress has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - All About Me Now has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Progress Check at 2 has been updated in Childminder Guides

Learning Journeys - Evaluation has been updated in Childminder Guides

7th May 2020

News - Government releases its COVID-19 recovery strategy but childminders are left more confused than before

Free Coronavirus Risk Assessment added for childminders

Free Coronavirus Early Years training video presentation added for childminders

Medication Administration Record updated in Free Childminder Paperwork

All Childminder Policies & Procedures have been updated

Can you charge parents if you can't provide childcare? - CMA investigation into childcare providers

6th May 2020

News - Government says it's fine to hire a nanny during lockdown but registered childminders and nurseries must remain closed for the majority

5th May 2020

News - 1 in 4 families are happy keeping lockdown life and 72% say it has brought them closer together

27th April 2020

May Group Planning added to Childminder Guides

Childminders can now get a free Coronavirus test

Has your first aid or safeguarding certificate expired? Find out what you should do

24th April 2020

News - Free Coronavirus tests for Childminders & Early Years Workers

22nd April 2020

News - Nearly a sixth of childcare providers set to close permanently due to Covid-19

Illness and Infection Control Procedures have been updated in Childminder Policies

Illness and Infection Record Form has been updated in Childminder Paperwork

20th April 2020

Childcare Providers and Corona Virus FAQ has been updated

Childminder Contracts and Fees Policy updated - Read more about the updates

Top Tips for starting school in September - useful for both childminders and parents

More free webinars - catch up on previous webinars on Webinar Player

9th April 2020

News - Nearly 1 in 4 parents say they are more likely to home school their children after the Coronavirus pandemic is over

26th March 2020

News - Financial support for self-employed Childminders announced by the chancellor

April Group Planning added to Childminder Guides

23rd March 2020

News - Childminders: URGENT - Tell the government you need more help - Deadline TODAY at 5pm

6th March 2020

Registering a Childminder Assistant added to Childminder Guides

4th March 2020

Safeguarding Q&A added to Childminder Guides

3rd March 2020

Childminding Assistant contracts updated in both PDF and Word versions.

Legislation is changing from April 2020 and this will impact on new contracts drawn up to protect employers and employees – in this case childminders and assistants.

You will see the changes in red. These changes must be made for all new employees from April 2020.

28th February 2020

March Group Planning added to Childminder Guides

29th January 2020

February Group Planning added to Childminder Guides

15th December 2019

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 added to Childminder Guides

January Group Planning added to Childminder Guides