Become a childminder or nanny (England)
Which register to join
There are 2 registers - the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.
Which register you join depends on:
- the age of the children you’re looking after
- if you’re registering as a childminder or a nanny
The Childcare Register is made up of voluntary and compulsory parts.
You’ll be prompted to join the correct register when you apply.
As a nanny you can choose to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, regardless of the age of the children you’re looking after.
Children up to the age of 5
If you’re a childminder and you look after children from birth to 5 years old you must join the Early Years Register. This lets you look after children up to 31 August after their fifth birthday.
You’ll get a registration visit from Ofsted when you apply.
If you apply through a childminder agency, you’ll get a registration visit from the agency not Ofsted.
After you join the register you must follow the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework.
Nannies cannot join the Early Years Register.
Children from 5 to 8 years old
If you’re a childminder and you look after children from 5 to 8 years old you must join the Childcare Register. This lets you look after children from 1 September after their fifth birthday up to their eighth birthday.
You may get a registration visit. You may also be inspected by Ofsted.