How Much Do Childminders Earn?

Discover how much childminders earn, what training is needed, pros and cons of the role, salary levels, and the future of the childcare industry.

How Much Do Childminders Earn? Role, Salary and Career Guide

Childminders play a crucial role in early childhood education and care by looking after children in a home-based setting. They provide a safe, nurturing environment while supporting learning and development—but how much can they actually earn, and what does it take to become one?

This guide breaks down the childminding profession, including required qualifications, salary bands, tax considerations, and the future of the role in the UK.

Job Description: What Do Childminders Do?

Childminders are self-employed childcare providers who care for children—usually in their own home—on a full-time, part-time, or after-school basis. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and are responsible for both education and wellbeing.

Responsibilities include:

  • Caring for children aged 0–12 in a home environment

  • Creating age-appropriate play, learning and routines

  • Preparing meals and snacks

  • Helping with toilet training and hygiene

  • Recording progress and maintaining developmental reports

  • Communicating with parents regularly

  • Ensuring child safety and safeguarding compliance

  • Managing business paperwork, fees, and planning

How Hard Is It to Become a Childminder?

The process is straightforward but regulated. You’ll need to register with Ofsted (England) or your local authority and meet specific health, safety and training requirements. It usually takes 3 to 6 months to complete the process.

Once registered, you're running your own business—so you'll need to manage admin, marketing and finance, as well as care delivery.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

Good childminders are:

  • Patient and nurturing, with a genuine love for children

  • Reliable, children and parents depend on consistency

  • Organised, especially with multiple children of different ages

  • Creative, using activities to support learning

  • Calm under pressure, especially in emergencies or difficult behaviour

  • Good at communication, both with children and parents

  • Able to work solo, managing routines without direct support

Do You Need Qualifications?

Yes. You’ll need to complete training before registering.

Minimum requirements:

  • Paediatric First Aid Certificate (12-hour course)

  • Introduction to Childminding or Early Years training

  • Safeguarding training

  • A suitable home environment (risk-assessed)

  • Enhanced DBS check for you and anyone over 16 in your household

  • Registration with Ofsted (England), Care Inspectorate Wales, Care Inspectorate Scotland, or HSC NI

Some childminders also study for Level 3 qualifications in childcare, which improves earning potential and helps meet funded childcare requirements.

How Long Do You Need to Study?

Basic training takes a few weeks to complete. The entire registration process typically takes 3–6 months, including home inspection, paperwork, and background checks.

You do not need a university degree, but ongoing CPD (continuing professional development) is recommended to stay compliant and competitive.

What Are the Levels and Specialisations?

Childminders can develop and specialise in different areas:

  • Early Years Childminder (ages 0–5) – Must follow EYFS

  • Before/After-School Care (ages 5–12) – Wraparound services

  • SEND Childminding – Working with children with special educational needs

  • Forest School / Outdoor Learning – Nature-based childcare

  • Montessori or Play-Based Methods – Alternative learning philosophies

Some go on to:

  • Employ assistants to care for more children

  • Set up a childminding agency

  • Transition into nursery or early years teaching roles

What Experience Do You Need?

You don’t need formal childcare experience to register, but any previous work with children helps.

Experience as a:

  • Nursery assistant

  • Teaching assistant

  • Nanny

  • Parent (many childminders are mums/dads themselves)

is all beneficial. Confidence in planning learning activities and managing multiple children will also help you stand out.

Benefits of Being a Childminder

  • Work from home

  • Set your own hours and fees

  • Build close relationships with children and families

  • Lower startup costs than nurseries

  • High demand, especially in areas with long waiting lists

  • Can work around your own family (with some limits)

  • Tax-deductible expenses – food, toys, electricity, equipment

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Long hours and early starts

  • Physically and emotionally demanding

  • Paperwork and inspections—Ofsted visits and EYFS documentation

  • Isolated work—no colleagues on hand

  • Inconsistent income—term-time only, cancellations, or holiday dips

  • Strict child ratios (max 3 under 5s per adult) limits income scale

How Much Do Childminders Earn in the UK?

Childminder earnings depend on location, hourly rate, number of children, and whether they work full-time.

  • Rural Areas: £120/day (2–3 kids)

  • Towns / Small Cities: £100 – £140/day

  • London / SE England: £150 – £200+/day

Average Annual Income:

  • Part-time childminder: £10,000 – £18,000

  • Full-time childminder: £22,000 – £35,000

  • Busy London-based: Up to £45,000+

Tax Example:

A childminder earning £30,000/year would pay:

  • Income Tax: approx. £3,432

  • National Insurance: approx. £2,180

  • Take-home pay: around £24,400/year or £470/week

As self-employed workers, childminders can deduct expenses like:

  • Toys and educational materials

  • Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Heating and lighting (portion of home use)

  • Car and fuel for school runs

This lowers their taxable income significantly.

What Factors Affect Salary?

  • Location – Rates are higher in cities, especially London

  • Working hours – Full-day and school holiday care earns more

  • Special needs qualifications – Can charge higher rates

  • Reputation – More referrals and full occupancy

  • Number of children cared for – Up to 6 at once (only 3 under 5)

  • Wraparound services – Breakfast clubs, after-school pick-ups

  • Government schemes – Funding impacts what you can charge

What’s the Future for This Role?

Childminding remains in demand, but competition from nurseries and changes in government funding schemes create uncertainty. The government has pledged support for flexible, home-based childcare, but regulation and admin burden is a growing concern for many in the profession.

Those who adapt—offering flexible hours, quality education, and good business management—will continue to thrive.

Best Companies or Bodies to Work With

Most childminders are self-employed, but some register through:

  • Childminding agencies (CMAs) – Offer support and admin services (e.g. tiney, Koru Kids)

  • PACEY – National association providing training, insurance and resources

  • Local authority-funded networks – Provide startup support and referrals

  • Home-based nursery networks – Team of registered carers in local hubs

These platforms offer community, training, and business help for solo carers.

Final Thought

Childminding can be a fulfilling, flexible career—especially for those who love children and want to work from home. While it requires regulation, patience, and commitment, the ability to build your own business while shaping young lives makes it one of the most rewarding jobs out there.