Register as a childminder with Ofsted

To register as a childminder, you can either apply to register with Ofsted or join a childminder agency. For specific support and advice about registering as a childminder in Birmingham, contact Children's Services.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm
Telephone: 0121 303 1888

For more information relating to the Ofsted childminder registration process, visit GOV.UK website.

Other areas to consider as part of the childminder registration process include the following:

Register a food business – Agency childminders

You must tell Birmingham City Council about the premises you will run your childminding business from. This information must reach Birmingham City Council 28 days before your business starts running. Registration is free. Register your childminder business

Planning permission – Agency childminders

You would not usually need planning permission where part of a home used for business purposes does not change the overall character of the property's use as a dwelling.

However, if you are thinking of offering a childminding service for 6 or more children, you may need planning permission because it could be considered a material change of use to the property if the following apply:

• you propose to run a business from a new detached building
• existing premises are to be physically extended or altered
• the business or non-residential use consistently generates visitors, traffic, noise, or fumes over and above what would normally be expected if the property was being used as a home
• there is an increase in employees and an increase in hours of business operation, for example, 7:00am to 7:00pm

If the above apply, use our pre-application service for further advice.

Page last updated: 1 October 2025