Flexibilities for childminders and childcare on domestic premises providers

On 1 November 2024, the Department for Education made changes to give the early years sector (in particular childminders) more flexibility. 

These changes introduced a new type of childminder and give existing childminders and childcare on domestic premises providers more scope in terms of where they base their childcare.  

The main changes have:

• created a new category of childminder called ‘childminders without domestic premises’ for childminders who will work solely from somewhere other than a home, such as a community or village hall 
• increased the total number of people (including childminders and assistants) who can work together under a childminder’s registration from 3 to 4 
• given you more flexibility to operate outside of your home (or someone else’s) for more of your time, removing the requirement that at least 50% of the childcare must be provided in a home

The changes also mean that any childminders who want to work with 4 or more other adults (so, as a total of 5 or more) need to register as ‘childcare on domestic premises’.

New registrations for this type of provision after 1 November 2024 need to have a minimum of 5 people – otherwise, you will need to register as a childminder. Existing registered ‘childcare on domestic premises’ providers can continue operating with a minimum of 4 people, as part of a legacy group.

Childminders without domestic premises

Childminders without domestic premises can only work from non-domestic premises. They can’t work from any home at any time, even during pick-up and drop-off time. A domestic premises is any home or place where someone lives. 

You can confirm whether your premises is domestic by looking at what local authority council tax rates are paid. An indication that it is non-domestic is if business rates are paid.  

If you choose this model, you must register as a childminder without domestic premises, unless you have an exemption from compulsory registration. 

What you need when applying to be a childminder without domestic premises

Childminders without domestic premises still need to follow the early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders. We have guidance on how to apply to provide this new type of childcare. Here we explain some of the things you might want to consider before applying.   

You should think about whether your premises is suitable for childcare. We need to know if you have sole use of the premises or whether you share it. If you are applying to be on the early years register, we will aim to visit the premises within 9 weeks of accepting your application so that we can make sure the space is suitable.

You should also consider whether you have the correct training, which could include: child protection training, first aid training relevant for the age of the children you are caring for, and a childminder course if you are applying to register on the childcare register.  

Think about whether you have the correct DBS certificate. You and everyone providing childcare on your premises need to have an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred lists. Your DBS application must be for ‘childcare workforce’. It must include your current name and all previous legal names you have been known by, and a full 5-year address history. It does not need to be for a ‘home-based’ role. You can apply for DBS checks through the Ofsted DBS application service.  

Make sure you have a health declaration form completed by a GP. All applicants to the early years register will need to complete a health declaration. 

If you have lived abroad in the last 5 years, you also need a certificate of good conduct from an embassy.

Applying to add additional premises to your current registration

You can apply to add an additional premises to your current registration.  

If you are registered as a childminder without domestic premises you can apply for approval to operate from an additional non-domestic premises using an EYA form.   

If you are a childminder operating from your own or someone else’s home you can apply for approval to operate from a non-domestic premises. You will still need to spend at least some of your time on domestic premises. It is your decision how you divide your time between settings. You can split your time hourly, daily, weekly or monthly.   

You can find all of the information about this type of flexibility in our guidance. 

Changes to the way childminders can work together

These changes mean that more childminders or assistants can work together without needing to register as group provision. 

The number of people working together under one single childminder registration has increased from 3 to 4.  

Childminders who want to work with 4 or more other adults (so, as a total of 5 or more) need to register as ‘childcare on domestic premises’. Information about childcare on domestic premises provision can be found in our guidance. For childminders without domestic premises, if you work with 5 or more people (so as a total of 6 or more) and wish to continue to work at a non-domestic address, you will need to register as childcare on non-domestic premises. 

Find out more

Read our full guidance about childminders without domestic premises to decide on the best options available for you.   

Our YouTube channel explains the role of a childminder without domestic premises and the broader changes made in 2024. You can also watch our 2024 webinar where we answered questions about the changes.

If you want to consider registering with a childminder agency, you should contact them directly. The full list of childminder agencies who are accepting applications is available on the GOV.UK website.