Setting up childcare

If you are interested in setting up a childcare business, please read the following information.

How to become a registered Childminder

Become a Childminder or Nanny

What is a Childminder?

Registered Childminders look after one or more children under the age of 8 for more than two hours a day. Childminders can now operate in domestic or non-domestic premises.

Becoming a Childminder in Halton – What’s involved?

As a registered Childminder you will:

• offer a happy and inspiring environment to the children you care for
• meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) for Childminders (GOV.UK)
• see the children that you care for grow and develop
• gain a career where no two days are the same
• choose the hours you work and the services you provide
• care for your own children at the same time, if you have a family.

To qualify, you will need to:

• gain an awareness of the EYFS for Childminders (GOV.UK)
• L​ist of childminder agencies
• either register with Ofsted (GOV.UK) or register with an approved childminding agency.
• For more information please access Early Years Careers  ​​

Running Your Own Business - BIM52751 - Care providers: Childminders: expenses - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

How to become a registered Nursery or other Daycare

Starting a nursery or other daycare and running the business

If you are interested in setting up childcare on non-domestic premises or setting up wrap care with schools please email the early years team ​earlyyears@halton.gov.uk

Planning permission for Childcare Providers

If you run or are planning to run a registered childcare provision, you may need planning permission for the property. All registered childcare providers must follow any relevant legislation, including fire and planning requirements.

If you wish to set up a childcare business, you may require planning permission, particularly if you intend to:

• Change the use of a building to a day nursery, crèche or playgroup (Class E planning class of use)
• Erect a new building
• Undertake external building work including extending existing buildings
• Carry out other works around the building, e.g. putting up a children’s playground or portacabin
• Make internal or external changes to a building that is listed as being of special architectural interest
• Run a childminding business that operates from a residential home where you are looking to provide care for more than 6 children
• Expand an existing childminding business that you run from a residential home that will offer care to more than 6 children

Get advice on whether or not you need planning permission

Anybody wishing to apply for planning permission is strongly advised to use Halton Councils' pre application advice service.

Browse: Planning, Housing & Environment information

Alternatively, you can visit the Planning Portal​ - The home of planning and building control via the link; Planning Portal

For More Information

Find out more about the Ofsted registration process in childcare provider guidance on registering with Ofsted

Halton Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

The Sufficiency Duty Report  is a useful document to look at when setting up your business, as it details the location and types of childcare already available, and the supply and demand within each ward in Halton.