Barleyfields Children's Centre

Childminders

There are nine registered Childminders working in the Barleyfields Children's Centre area. They are based in Oaklands and Knebworth.

Today’s Childminders must by law be registered with Ofsted Early Years (the government’s education inspectorate), be CRB checked, undertake a 12-hour First Aid course and have completed a Local Authority approved induction course.

Because Childminders are registered, self-employed and work in their own home it means that they:

• can usually care for brothers and sisters together because they care for children of all ages.
• can be flexible about hours. If you work shifts, talk to a childminder about what they can offer.
• care for small groups of children, so they can give each child more individual attention.
• are more easily able to take children to and from school, or to clubs and activities they attend.
• help children learn about the world using everyday activities - weighing fruit at the shops, baking something for tea or collecting leaves at the park.
• find it easier to go on outings to the park, library and other local sites, which means your child can get out and about and learn from real life situations.
• offer childcare that’s eligible for financial support.

Choosing a Childminder won’t complicate your finances, as they are self-employed and responsible for their own National Insurance and tax.

Childminders receive support through Young in Herts.

For details of individual Childminders call the Family Information Service on 0300 123 4052 or email younginherts@hertscc.gov.uk.

Barleyfields Children's Centre is very happy to provide further information on childminding and to assist parents in finding a registered childminder.