Many parents in Hackney choose a childminder because childminding settings can offer individualised care, low adult/child ratios and a ‘home from home’ environment. Some childminders may also be able to offer greater flexibility or extended hours suited to the needs of individual families and working patterns.
Support in choosing a childminder
Support to help choose a childminder is available from the Hackney Childminding Team.
Childminding Coordinators work closely with their local network of childminders and are available to talk to parents about childminding and the childminders in each area.
Families will have a range of differing needs and Coordinators help support parents make informed choices about childcare.
For example, it may be important that the childminder has a garden or access to outdoor space or is able to offer after school care for school-aged siblings. They may also need experience in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). See the Hackney Local Offer website for additional advice
Visiting a childminder
When parents are ready to choose a childminder we recommend arranging visits to see several childminders to compare settings and see how the childminder gets on and interacts with your child.
It is good practice to ask for any references or names of parents who have used the service.
When discussing fees, we encourage parents to make sure they are clear about what this includes.
Questions to ask
- Ask to see a copy of their registration and insurance certificates and their latest Ofsted Inspection report. Registered childminders can care for up to six children under eight years. Of these, no more than three may be under five years, and of these, no more than one may be under 12 months. The numbers a childminder can care for will depend on their space, the number of their own children, and whether they work with an assistant or co-childminder.
- What are their normal hours of work?
- What are their fees for childcare hours used over the funded 30 weekly hours (available for 38 weeks a year)?
- Do their fees include meals?
- Are there any other charges for consumables? (note that any extra charges are voluntary and do not impact on funded hours. Childminders must offer alternative options, such as bringing your own nappies)
- What are their charges for absence or sickness and holidays?
- When do they plan to take their holidays?
- What are their overtime rates?
- How many other children do they look after and what are their ages?
- What training and experience do they have?
- What activities and routines do they provide for the children?
- What outings will they plan?
- Will they attend any local drop-ins groups?
- What do they do about sweets, snacks and drinks?
- How do they manage difficult behaviour?
- How would they deal with an emergency?
- What would happen if you wished to make a complaint? Are you able to see their complaints log?
- Do they have any pets? How will they make sure children are kept safe around pets?
- What is the notice period for terminating the contract
Ofsted inspection reports
New childminder inspections were introduced in England from November 2025. They are designed to give clearer information about the quality of care and education provided. Key changes include more frequent inspections and a stronger focus on inclusion and progress tracking.
Childminders are now graded using a five-point scale:
- Exceptional - of the highest standard nationally, other settings can learn from it
- Strong standard - leaders are working above the standards expected of them
- Expected standard - following the standards set out in statutory and non-statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them
- Needs attention - expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements
- Urgent improvement - needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care
Additionally, Ofsted will explicitly rate the setting's safeguarding responsibilities as either 'met' or 'not met'.
You can access inspection reports for all registered childminders via the Ofsted website. You can also search for local Hackney childminders using the Family Information Service Childminder Directory.
We encourage parents to read the reports in full and to talk to childminders about their latest inspection outcomes and how they are developing their service.
Contact your local Childminding Coordinator if you need further information about how childminders are inspected.