A childminder is someone who looks after one or more children under the age of eight years for more than two hours per day on domestic premises for reward.*

*As stated in part XA of the Children Act 1998 and incorporates part VI of the Care Standards Act.

Childminders are registered with Ofsted, they must have public liability insurance, register as self-employed, hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate and hold a recognised childcare qualification, for example Introducing Childminding Practice.

Please contact Ruth Carter, Childminding Development Co-ordinator on 01983 528645 or email ruth.carter@iow.gov.uk for further details.

As a registered childcare provider you are able to offer childcare for those parents who are entitled to the childcare element of the working tax credits.
These voucher payments can be paid directly into your bank account.

The Diploma in Home Base Childcare. The Early Years Service offers the first module of this level 3 Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE) accredited course three times a year.

This is celebrated each year in June. In previous years childminders have visited a local farm and watched the cows being milked, held a sponsored peddle push, visited the Fire Station and raised money for iCAN through a sponsored chatter event at the local library.
A childminding conference is organised each year, giving childminders from across the island the opportunity to discuss the latest issues. Last year trainers delivered an inspirational day entitled ‘outdoor play’. The third childminding conference is currently being co-ordinated and will be held in March 2008.