Childminder child record form: what it must hold
In England, a childminder must record the following for each child in their care: full name, date of birth, the name and address of every parent or carer known to them, and anyone else with parental responsibility (EYFS 3.98). You must also record which parents the child normally lives with, and emergency contact details for parents and carers.
Checked 5 October 2026 against the EYFS statutory framework for childminders (in force from 1 September 2026). EYFS statutory framework on GOV.UK.
What the rules say
| What to record | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| The child's full name and date of birth | EYFS 3.98 |
| The name and address of every parent or carer known to you | EYFS 3.98 |
| Information about any other person who has parental responsibility | EYFS 3.98 |
| Which parent or carer the child normally lives with | EYFS 3.98 |
| Emergency contact details for parents and carers (where possible, more than two numbers) | EYFS 3.98 |
| Any special dietary requirements, food allergies, intolerances and special health requirements, obtained before the child is admitted | EYFS 3.64 |
| Records held securely, and only available to people who have a right or professional need to see them | EYFS 3.95 |
What our form includes
- Child details: full name, known as, date of birth, address, who the child lives with, start date, hours and days
- Parent or carer 1 and parent or carer 2: names, relationship, phone numbers, email and address
- Anyone else with parental responsibility
- Emergency contacts, and anyone not permitted to collect the child
- GP and health visitor details
- Medical information: allergies, conditions, regular medication and dietary needs
- Parental consent: photographs, outings, first aid, emergency hospital treatment, sun cream and intimate care
- Fees and hours agreement
- Parent or carer and childminder signatures
The full form is part of membership (£14.99 a month or £99 a year).
How to fill it in
- Complete one form for each child at registration, before they start.
- Hold more than two emergency contact numbers for each child where you can. The framework says settings should.
- Ask about allergies, intolerances and special health needs before the child starts, and write them down in full.
- Update the form whenever contact numbers, medical information or consent choices change, and keep it somewhere secure.
Common questions
What information must a childminder keep about each child?
A childminder in England must record each child's full name and date of birth, the name and address of every parent or carer known to them, anyone else with parental responsibility, who the child normally lives with, and emergency contact details (EYFS 3.98).
How many emergency contacts should a childminder hold for each child?
The EYFS says that where possible, settings should hold more than two emergency contact numbers for each child (EYFS 3.98). The emergency contact details for parents and carers are one of the items a childminder must record for every child.
Can parents see the records a childminder keeps about their child?
Yes, in general. The EYFS says parents and carers must be given access to all records about their child, provided no relevant exemptions apply under the Data Protection Act (EYFS 3.96). Childminders must also keep confidential records secure (EYFS 3.95).
How long should a childminder keep a child's record after they leave?
The EYFS says records about individual children must be kept for a reasonable period of time after the child has left (EYFS 3.97). It sets no number of years, so each childminder decides. Your insurer may ask for longer.
Related forms
This is general guidance for childminders in England, not legal advice. Policy & Play is not part of Ofsted or the Department for Education. Always check the official wording.