The Early Years Register
The Early Years Foundation Stage does not give information about childminder assistants except about ratios and suitability.
childminders are not required to be on the premises all the time when childcare is provided.
However there are other requirements that childminders must meet at all times including when they use assistants
The requirements cover:
minimum overall ratios
that there is always one person who holds a paediatric first aid certificate on the premises at all times
that risk assessments are in place and there are suitable emergency arrangements, for example in the event of a fire
that arrangements are in place for staff/assistants absences
that assistants are aware of and understand the childminder?s policies and procedures
that appropriate arrangements are in place for supervision of students/any unvetted adults.
Where childminders can:
show that they meet these requirements all the time
and where
we agree that assistants are suitable and it is in the best interests of children
we may agree that they can be left alone with children for short periods of time, either on or off the premises. This is not to cover long absences but may cover times like:
where a baby is sleeping and would be woken up to go out
leaving children at home when the childminder or assistant collects children from school, for example in bad weather conditions
when the childminder takes one child to an appointment and may not be able to fully care for the other children.
When leaving children with an assistant, childminders must:
have the children?s parents agreement
make sure that the assistants, or themselves, are not caring for more children that they are allowed to
discuss and agree these arrangements with us
have a condition of registration which allows them to do this.
Childminders must never use assistants to give long periods of care, for example if they wish to take a holiday. At these times the assistant must be registered as a childminder themselves.
Common questions
Can any assistant I use be left alone with children?
No. Someone could be a suitable assistant but not be allowed to look after children on their own. You can only do this if:
we agree to allow assistants to be left for short periods
we have checked the assistant
you have written parental permission; and
you continue to meet the other requirements for the relevant register.
If you are on the Early Years Register or both the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register then you must have a condition of registration that lets you do this.
I am on both registers ? can I leave children with my assistant?
If you are registered on both registers, then you must make sure that you meet all requirements for both registers, as set out in this fact sheet. One set of requirements is no more important than the other. If we agree, you can leave children in the early years age group alone with an assistant on the childminding premises, but we cannot allow this for children on the Childcare Register; you can only let the assistants care for the children on their own when they are off the premises and with older children.
However, we must agree why and how an assistant is left alone with children so we can be sure that the childminder is responsible and the assistant is not giving unregistered care.