Preparing your policies and procedures as a childminder can feel overwhelming, especially when working towards registration or preparing for inspection. However, strong policies are not just a requirement—they are the foundation of safe, consistent, and high-quality childcare practice.
This childminder policies and procedures checklist has been designed to support both new and experienced providers in meeting the requirements of the EYFS Statutory Framework. It brings together the essential policies you need, alongside practical prompts to ensure they reflect your real daily practice, not just paperwork.
Clear, well-implemented policies help you protect children, build trust with families, and demonstrate professionalism during inspection. They also support you in making confident decisions in everyday situations.
Use this checklist to prepare for registration, review your current policies, or strengthen your safeguarding and compliance systems as your setting grows.
Safeguarding is the most critical responsibility within any childminding setting. Your safeguarding policies must clearly explain how you recognise concerns, respond appropriately, and protect children from harm.
As a childminder, you are both the practitioner and the safeguarding lead, which means your procedures must be simple, clear, and confidently applied in practice.
Your safeguarding policy should reflect current guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, and demonstrate how you take immediate, appropriate action when concerns arise.
☐ Safeguarding / Child Protection Policy☐ Procedure for recognising and responding to concerns
☐ Responding to disclosures from children
☐ Allegations against adults (including yourself or household members)
☐ Whistleblowing procedure
☐ Use of mobile phones, cameras & recording devices
☐ Online safety / use of technology
☐ Prevent Duty (if applicable)
☐ Missing child procedure
☐ Uncollected child procedure
👉 Check:
Is your DSL role clearly defined (even if you are the sole provider)?
Are local authority contact details included and up to date?
Does it reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and EYFS Statutory Framework?
Health and safety procedures underpin everything you do each day. These policies ensure that your home environment is safe, risks are managed effectively, and children’s physical wellbeing is consistently protected.
Strong procedures should go beyond written risk assessments and be embedded into your daily routines—from safe sleep practices to managing illness and maintaining hygiene.
Clear systems help you respond calmly and effectively to accidents, emergencies, and everyday care needs.
☐ Health and Safety Policy
☐ Risk Assessment procedures (home, outings, transport)
☐ Fire Safety & Emergency Evacuation
☐ First Aid procedures (Paediatric First Aid in date)
☐ Managing accidents and injuries
☐ Managing illness and exclusion periods
☐ Infection control (including cleaning routines)
☐ Administration of medication
☐ Food safety & hygiene
☐ Safe sleep policy (especially for under 2s)
👉 Check:
Are daily checks embedded in your routine?
Are accident/incident recording procedures clear and consistent?
Safeguarding is not only about responding to concerns—it is built through everyday interactions, relationships, and routines.
Your policies in this area should reflect how you support children’s emotional wellbeing, manage behaviour in a respectful way, and create an environment where children feel safe, valued, and understood.
These approaches form the foundation of preventative safeguarding and help reduce risk by promoting secure, trusting relationships.
☐ Behaviour Management Policy
☐ Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing
☐ Equality, Inclusion & SEND policy
☐ Anti-bullying approach (age appropriate)
☐ Intimate care procedures
☐ Physical intervention (only if absolutely necessary and appropriate)
👉 Check:
Does your approach protect dignity, respect, and emotional safety?
Is your language calm, child-centred, and non-punitive?
Strong partnerships with parents are essential for effective childcare. Your policies should clearly set expectations, outline communication processes, and build trust from the very beginning.
Parents need to understand how your setting operates, how information is shared, and how they can raise concerns if needed.
Transparent and professional systems support positive relationships and ensure that everyone is working together in the best interests of the child.
☐ Admissions & Settling-in Policy
☐ Working in partnership with parents
☐ Information sharing & confidentiality
☐ Complaints procedure
☐ Fees, payments & contracts
☐ Late collection / non-collection
☐ Use of social media
👉 Check:
Do parents know how to raise concerns?
Are expectations clear from the start?
Accurate and secure record keeping is a key part of safeguarding and professional practice. Your documentation provides evidence of your decisions, actions, and daily routines.
Policies in this area should ensure that records are clear, confidential, and stored appropriately in line with legal requirements.
Well-maintained documentation supports accountability and protects both children and yourself as a practitioner.
☐ Child records (personal details, permissions, emergency contacts)
☐ Attendance register
☐ Accident, incident & medication records
☐ Safeguarding concern records
☐ Risk assessments (written where required)
☐ Data protection / GDPR compliance
☐ Record retention policy
👉 Check:
Are records secure, confidential, and stored appropriately?
Can you evidence decision-making if needed?
As a registered childminder, you are expected to demonstrate ongoing professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Your policies should reflect how you maintain compliance, keep your knowledge up to date, and ensure that everyone in your setting understands their responsibilities.
This includes training, suitability checks, and reflective practice—all of which contribute to a safe and well-managed provision.
☐ Complaints log (required for Ofsted)
☐ Self-evaluation / reflective practice
☐ Training & CPD record
☐ Supervision (if assistants are used)
☐ Suitability of household members
☐ Visitors policy
👉 Check:
Are you able to demonstrate continuous improvement?
Are all adults in the home suitable and aware of safeguarding expectations?
Your policies should also reflect how you support children’s learning and development in line with the EYFS.
This includes your approach to observation, assessment, planning, and creating an environment that supports children’s progress.
Clear guidance in this area helps demonstrate that your practice is intentional, consistent, and focused on supporting each child’s individual needs.
☐ Curriculum approach (aligned to EYFS)
☐ Observation, assessment & planning
☐ Supporting school readiness
☐ Supporting children with additional needs
☐ Use of the environment (indoor & outdoor)
👉 Check:
Does your practice reflect the principles of the EYFS?
Can you explain why you do what you do?
Policies should never remain static. Regular review ensures they stay accurate, relevant, and aligned with current guidance and your evolving practice.
Your procedures should clearly show how and when policies are reviewed, updated, and shared with parents.
Up-to-date policies demonstrate professionalism and ensure your setting continues to meet safeguarding and regulatory expectations.
☐ Policies reviewed at least annually
☐ Updated following any safeguarding or legal changes
☐ Version control (date, review date, signature)
☐ Shared with parents (and accessible)
👉 Golden Standard:
✔ Clear
✔ Practical
✔ Reflects your real setting
✔ Not copied without understanding
Kim Tupper is the Founder of EYFS Training Hub, providing practical, high-quality safeguarding and early years training for childminders and early years teams.
Explore our training or get in touch to find out more.
