The Department for Education is implementing earlier said reforms on November 1, 2024, to allow the early years sector (particularly childminders) more freedom. These reforms will result in the introduction of a new type of childminder as well as additional flexibility for existing childminders and childcare providers in terms of where they spend their time and base their services.
The major modifications will be:
1. Create a new category of childminder named 'childminders without domestic premises'. This is for childminders working exclusively from somewhere other than their house, such as a community or village hall.
2. Increase the number of individuals (including childminders and assistants) who can work together under a childminder's registration from three to four.
3. Allow you to spend more time working outside your home (or someone else's). This eliminates the need that at least 50% of the childcare to be delivered in a home.
4. Imply that any childminders who want to work with four or more other adults (5+ in total) will need to register as 'childcare on domestic premises'
This final adjustment will allow existing registered 'childcare on home premises' providers to continue operating with at least four persons as part of a legacy group. However, if you are submitting a new registration for this type of provision after November 1, 2024, you must have at least 5 persons; otherwise, you must register as a childcare provider. If you are in the process of enrolling on November 1, you can still apply with four or more persons.