Registered Childminders

All Childminders must be registered with the Care & Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW), who will check on their suitability, their home and carry out Criminal Bureau Records (CRB) checks on everyone over the age of 16 living in the house:

• Those aged 16-17 will have a Standard CRB
• Those aged 18+ will have a Enhanced CRB

Childminders must have:

· a registration document

· a public liability insurance certificate

Childminders must complete the first unit of an accredited level 3 qualification before they become registered.

Many childminders go on to do the full diploma in Home Based Childcare. Many also belong to quality assurance schemes such as NCMA's Quality First. This means that they can keep up to date with developments in childcare and improve the quality of care they provide.

Many childminders are also part of a Children Come First Childminding Network. This means they are regularly assessed by a co-ordinator and receive support and training to deliver high quality care. Networks can also become accredited to provide early years education, as some parents prefer to have pre-school age children educated in a home setting.

Childminders are self-employed and set their own fees.

As a guide only, the average cost for a childminder in Bridgend County Borough is £3.50 per hour per child.

Childminders can offer flexible childcare, year round, full-time or part-time and outside school hours.

They can be registered to look after up to 6 children under the age of 8 and can therefore care for brothers and sisters together.

Childminders are responsible for your child's safety as well as their emotional and physical development. They should provide a mix of play and learning experiences inside and outside the home.

The National Childminding Association have produce a useful guide to choosing the right childminder; which includes questions to ask.