The childminder must submit to checks which will prove they are fit to carefor a child.
* Have character references, health checks and criminal records checks.
* Have completed the local authority pre-registration course.
* Ensure everyone else over 16 years in your house has been police checked.
2 Organisation
The childminder must stay within approved child:adult ratios and organise space and resources to meet the child's needs.
* Have a good range of equipment and resources that meet the needs of the children at all their various ages.
* Have an understanding of why there is a child:adult ratio.
3 Care, learning and play
The childminder can plan and provide activities which meet children's needsand develop their potential in all areas.
* Organise routine plans which take account of the children's needs, interests and abilities.
* Draw up activity plans showing that you have considered how and why to plan daily activities.
* Devise clear rules which the children have helped write and understand.
* If part of an accredited network offering the Foundation Stage curriculum, show how the daily activities meet the early learning goals.
4 Physical environment
The childminder must have welcoming, safe, secure and suitable premises with sufficient space to enable all children to make best use of the facilities indoors and outdoors.
* Have a home which is clean, tidy, well ventilated and in good repair.
* Ensure there is a telephone on site.
* Have space for the children to rest.
* Have suitable bathroom and kitchen facilities.
* Possess a food hygiene certificate.
5 Equipment
The childminder must have appropriate equipment, toys and furniture, conforming to British Safety Standards.
* Have suitable equipment including safety gates, highchair, safety seats, buggies, travel cots, car seats, etc.
* Ensure toys meet the British Safety Standards.
* Provide a good range of toysand play materials both indoors and outdoors to meet all the children's developmental needs.
6 Safety
The childminder must promote safety within the setting and on outings, and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.
* Ensure good supervision.
* Have appropriate locks and a security system.
* Ensure the building is safe, with plug sockets covered.
* Ensure a fire procedure is in place, together with emergency arrangements in the event of evacuation from your home being necessary.
* Organise good supervision when out of the home.
* If you are a driver, have all the relevant checks, insurance and safety equipment in place.
7 Health
The childminder is able to promote the health of children, reduce the spread of infection and deal with sick children.
* Recommend a non-smoking policy.
* Have a clean home with good hygiene practices to reduce cross-infection.
* Be able to teach children about hygiene.
* Organise effective care of any animals on the premises.
* Have high standards of food hygiene.
* Draw up a policy for the administration of medicine with relevant consent and record books.
* Have a first-aid box.
* Draw up a policy on how you respond if a child is unwell and when you will care for them.
8 Food and drink
Children must receive a balanced diet which is properly prepared and nutritious and fits with their religious and dietary requirements.
* Display weekly menus.
* Log children's preferences in their admission forms and display for reference.
* Have an agreement with parents about food preferences.
* Make sure drinking water is available.
9 Equal opportunities
The childminder must understandanti-discriminatory practice and knowwhat it means in practice so thatchildren learn how to grow anddevelop in an anti-discriminatory environment.
* Have an equal opportunities policy to show your understanding of the concept.
* Build good links with parents to share information and work towards consistent care.
10 Special needs
The childminder must support the principle of an inclusive environment.
Have the ability to identify and take appropriate action to help a child with emerging learning needs.
* Have a good partnership with parents to support the child's development.
* Have a special needs statement in your prospectus which says what you will do if you feel a child needs some additional help.
* Be able to offer a range of appropriate activities and relevant resources to help the child's progress.
* Offer sensitive attention when a child needs additional physical care.
11 Behaviour
The childminder must be able to manage children's behaviour in a way that promotes their welfare and development.
* Do not endorse smacking.
* Create a positive and supportive environment.
* Be familiar with a range of techniques that support children's self-esteem and helps them to cope with negative behaviour.
* Include a statement on managing children's behaviour in your prospectus.
12 Working with parents and carers
The childminder must work positively with parents for the benefit of the child.
* Share a range of information so as to continually involve parents in the child's care and education.
* Know how to involve parents.
* Have good communication skills.
* Keep relevant records.
* Maintain confidentiality.
* Have procedures about contact and collection.
* Have a complaints procedure.
13 Child protection
The childminder must work within the local authority guidance to ensure the welfare of the child.
* Include a child protection statement on your admission form so parents realise you have duty of care towards the child, which may result in your contacting the social services department.
14 Documentation
Keep relevant records including:
* Accurate record of children's names, addresses; parent's details, place of work; emergency contact numbers and child's health details, including allergies etc
* Daily register of attendance
* Activities records
* Accurate financial records, including fee and tax forms
* Appropriate contracts with parents
* Admission and consent forms
* Accident and incident books
* Statement on how you manage children's behaviour, respond to child protection issues, provide an anti-discriminatory service including for children with special needs and maintain confidentiality.
* Prepare a documentation folder.
* Prepare a change of circumstances form to send to Ofsted when there are changes to the premises or those living in your house, and in the event of allegations of abuse against you or anyone else in your home.
Annex A (Babies)
These requirements must be met if a childminder wants to care for babies
* Have in place a baby sleeping routine and checks.
* Provide a balanced selection of baby activities.
* Draw up hygienic nappy changing procedures and systems for sterilising bottles.
Annex B (Overnight)
Looking after a child for no more than 28 continuous days and nights.
* Show appropriate ratio, checking systems, suitable sleeping arrangements, fire safety checks and security.
* Maintain a high standard of hygiene, involving parents in the process and maintain emergency contacts and records of care.
