Child-Minding

Understand the legal and regulatory requirements for setting up a child-minding business in the home.

Main requirements for running a business from home may include:

• safe environment
• appropriate equipment, facilities for age of children 
• record keeping.

Main legal requirements may include:

• Registration with Ofsted (although not necessary in some circumstances) onto Early Years Register and/or Childcare Register
• Ofsted childminders must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Number of children that can be cared for 

• Public liability insurance
• Disclosure and barring service checks, health and safety including fire safety, first aid

• Home and car insurance, if appropriate
• Ofsted registration certificate.

Policies and procedures may include:

• health e.g. what happens if a child is ill before or during the time with the child-minder
• communication with primary carers
• care routine procedures
• safe guarding.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1
  Outline the main requirements relating to running a business from home.
  
• 1.2
  Explain the main legal and regulatory requirements relating to child-minding in the home.
• 1.3
  Describe the main policies and procedures that child-minders should have in place for child-minding in the home.

Understand how to create a safe and healthy environment for home-based child care.

Main features of a safe and healthy environment for children may include: 

• appropriate toys and play equipment for the age and stage of development of the child
• sufficient space for play both indoors and outdoors
• infection control practices.

Examples of safe supervision in the home may include:

• one-to-one supervision if the activity requires it 
• observation of children from a safe distance to provide free play
• provision of learning experiences that are not beyond the limitations of the child.

Examples of main risks to children in the home may include:

• floor surfaces - make sure they are dry, have appropriate floor coverings
• stairs - restrict access
• kitchen equipment - use safety equipment such as locks on washing machines.

Key principles of safe guarding may include:

• having a clear behaviour policy that primary carers have access to
• sharing safe guarding procedures with primary carers.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1
  Describe the main features of a safe and healthy environment for children.
  
• 2.2
  Explain how to ensure the safe supervision of children in the home.
• 2.3
  Identify main risks to children in the home environment and how they can be minimised or controlled.
• 2.4
  State how the key principles of safeguarding should be applied to a home-based childcare setting.

Understand the equipment required for child-minding in the home.

Learners may consider different equipment required for different ages including:

• personal care equipment
• indoor and outdoor play equipment.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Describe the equipment required for different age groups for care in the home.

• 3.2
  Explain the use of different equipment for child care in the home.

Understand how to provide care for children in home-based child care.

Ways to build positive relationships with parents may include:

• inviting them to the home before the child begins
• general information provided in an appropriate format
• making time at the end of the session to talk with the parent
• regular progress meetings. 

Learners need to describe suitable routines for children in home-based child care. This may include indoor activities, outdoor activities, meal times etc.

The importance of providing play activities may include:

• support and promote children's development
• stimulate the child
• reinforce skills and learning
• opportunity to explore new experiences.

Ways to support positive behaviour may include:

• being a positive role model
• clear boundaries
• consistency.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Explain how to build positive relationships with parents and why this is important.

• 4.2
  Describe suitable routines for children in home-based child care and why they are important.
  
• 4.3
  Explain the importance of providing appropriate play activities home-based childcare setting.
• 4.4
  Explain how to support positive behaviour when child-minding.