Rules & guidance for childminders in England

What's changed

• Safer sleep requirements are now written into the framework itself, so you no longer have to look elsewhere for them.
• You must have regard to the new screen use guidance for early years settings (published July 2026).
• Childcare can't be provided from premises where a banned dog breed is kept or present, including XL Bully type dogs.
• Nobody may start working or volunteering with you until you have their enhanced DBS and barred list check back.
• You must tell Ofsted (or your childminder agency) about allegations of harm, not only serious harm, involving anyone living, working or looking after children at the premises.
• There are updated requirements to tell Ofsted about changes to who lives or works at your premises.

What to do

• Read your safer sleep routines and risk assessments against the new wording.
• Check any dogs that live at or visit your home, and update your pet and risk assessment paperwork.
• Make sure your screen use approach is written down and shared with parents.
• Don't let a new assistant, volunteer or household member start until the DBS and barred list check has come back.
• Update your safeguarding policy. The Policy & Play policies were updated for these changes in September 2026.

What's changed

• The relevant EYFS requirements must be fully met before a setting can reach the expected standard in any area.
• Safe sleeping, weaning, safer eating and allergy management are built into several sections, including safeguarding and welfare.
• Inspectors look more closely at how leaders gather and share safeguarding information.
• There are clarifications on learning exemptions, with a focus on English vocabulary and age-appropriate early maths.

What to do

• Skim the toolkit's safeguarding and welfare sections and check your records against them.
• Try the Ofsted-readiness quiz and simulator to spot gaps before an inspection.

What's changed

• Family Help brings early help and child in need support into one pathway, with a single Family Help Plan.
• A stronger expectation that you can identify and challenge racism and discrimination.
• More attention to the specific needs of babies, the impact of domestic abuse, and children facing several harms at once.

What to do

• Refresh your safeguarding policy and your DSL's knowledge of local referral routes.
• Ask your local safeguarding partnership how Family Help works in your area.

What's changed

• More on spotting mental health warning signs and what to do in an emergency.
• Closer attention to serious violence, including children carrying weapons.
• Updates on young carers, safer recruitment and regulated activity.

What to do

• If you collect from or work with schools, ask which safeguarding contacts and procedures they follow.
• Use it as good practice alongside the EYFS and Working Together.

What's changed

• The 30 hours run over 38 weeks a year (1,140 hours).
• Parents usually need to work at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage, and apply through Childcare Choices.
• Funded hours must be free: no top-up fees, and no non-refundable registration fee, deposit or retainer as a condition of a funded place (statutory guidance from 1 April 2026, A1.38).
• Charges for meals, consumables and optional activities during funded hours must be voluntary, with an alternative such as parents supplying their own (A1.32 and A1.35).

What to do

• Ask your local authority about becoming a funded provider and its provider agreement.
• Point parents to childcarechoices.gov.uk to apply and get their code.
• Use a contract that sets out funded hours, voluntary extras and refundable deposits separately from paid hours.

What to do

• Keep Prevent awareness in your safeguarding training and policy.
• Know who to contact locally if you're worried.

What to do

• Check the ICO's fee page for the current amount and pay or renew it.
• Keep a privacy notice for parents, and think carefully before sharing photos or messages through apps.