What is a childminder?
A childminder is a qualified childcare professional who cares for a small number of children in their own home. Childminders are self-employed—they set their own working hours and days, set their own hourly rates, and they work from their own home! It’s a fantastic way to make a big difference to the lives of the children you care for, whilst also being at home for your own children. And to top it all off, you’ll have the potential to make a great income (up to £70,000 a year with Koru Kids in inner London). This is a quick intro, but if you want to find out more you can read our ultimate guide to becoming a childminder.
Is a childminder different to a nanny?
Nannies and childminders are different. A nanny cares for children from a maximum of two families at the same time, and the care must take place in the home of one of the children.
A childminder can look after children from multiple families, and cares for them in the childminder’s home. A childminder runs their own business, using their home as a nursery, but making sure it stays their own home too. Unlike a nanny, if you decide to become a childminder you can also take on 1 or 2 assistants to work with you. Childminders can look after their own children at the same time too.
Is a childminder different to a nursery?
Nurseries are usually much larger than a childminder setting and the care doesn’t take place in a home. A nursery will usually have quite a big staff, with a manager supervising the nursery assistants and room leaders. There are larger groups of children in a nursery, separated from each other depending on age.
A childminder will have a smaller group, and the children tend to be mixed ages, so it’s more like a second family than most nurseries.
Is a childminder cheaper than a nanny or nursery?
Nannies are the most expensive option and can cost from £120–£150 per day. Nurseries vary from around £70–85 per day. Some childminders can cost as little as £65 per day but most cost the same as nursery. A great advantage is that for the same cost there are usually fewer children in a childminder’s setting. With Koru Kids, the group will never be larger than 3 children under 5 for an adult. This creates a ‘home away from home’ and makes it possible for a childminder to spend quality time with every child they care for.
How do I become a childminder?
To become a childminder you must either register with an accredited childminder agency such as Koru Kids, or directly through Ofsted. If you register through Koru Kids, we’ll fund all of your training and get you set up in as little as 8 weeks, help you find children to fill your places and support you long term to help make your business thrive.
My son’s home nursery is everything I could have hoped for. His childminder runs it from her home which is warm and welcoming. He feels so safe there. They spend so much time outside—we couldn’t ask for more.
Rebecca, mum of 2-year-old in Balham
