17th December

This year, Warwickshire’s Early Years team has been busy supporting our growing network of childminders - dedicated professionals who play a vital role in shaping the county’s early years education. 

Childminders provide care in their own homes for more than two hours a day, offering a warm, family-style environment where children can learn, play, and thrive. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and are regulated by Ofsted or a childminder agency, ensuring the highest standards of care and education. 

Becoming a childminder is more than a job – it’s a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in your local community. You’ll help children grow and develop through play, routines, and real-life experiences, all while building strong, lasting bonds. 

To support new childminders, the Council’s early years team offer advice and support to help people through the process from business and financial considerations to achieving their successful registration and beginning their new role. Over the last year, the team have supported 14 new childminders in Warwickshire.  

Thinking of becoming a childminder?  

Any residents who enjoy working with children and have a home that's suitable for childcare are encouraged to consider choosing this rewarding profession. To become a childminder, residents should: 

• Have a suitable space for children to play, learn and grow, including access to regular outdoor learning such as a secure garden or play area; and 

• Need to be able to provide activities and learning opportunities that are appropriate for the children in their care. 

Want to find out more? Anyone can sign-up to a ‘Becoming a Childminder in Warwickshire’ online information session to discover everything they need to know about this rewarding role. 

What they’ll learn: 

• What childminding is and why it matters; 

• Who can become a childminder; 

• The benefits of choosing this career; 

• Key considerations before you start; 

• Childminder ratios explained; 

• Government-funded childminder rates; and 

• Useful contacts and next steps. 

Dates and times 

• Friday 16 January 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am –  Register for the January event 

• Wednesday 25 February 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am – Register for the February event 

In this inspiring video, Alley, from Ally’s House Childminding, shares her personal journey as a childminder and why she loves what she does. Hear first-hand how childminders play a vital role in shaping young lives, supporting families, and building stronger communities. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a childminder, this is the perfect place to start. Explore the possibilities and see how you could make a difference too: 

Find out more about childminding in Warwickshire: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childcare/become-childminder  

We’ll see you tomorrow for day 18 of our Christmas countdown!

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