Childminding Agreement

This document can be used by a childminder who is based in England or Wales. The document is a contractual document which sets out the terms and conditions applicable to the services of the childminder.

It can be helpful for a childminder to have an agreement to confirm the terms and conditions applicable to their services because:

• it formalises and regulates the agreement between the parent/guardian and the childminder;
• it confirms the responsibilities of the childminder and of parents/guardians;
• it sets out how the booking and payment for the services will work;
• it can help the childminder to maintain a professional profile (and to clarify details surrounding their regulation and qualification).

This agreement is designed for use where the childminder will conduct their services at their home address and may take the children to school, nursery and into the local community. The agreement is written in simple language so that the parent/guardian understands their rights and obligations.

The document takes the form of a services agreement, where the agreement for the childminder to provide services to the parent/guardian is defined in the contract. This agreement does not create a relationship of employment between the parties because an employment contract must be used where the parties wish to create this kind of relationship. In the situation where a nanny/au pair is coming to live with a family, the parties will wish to create an au pair agreement instead.

A childminder will need to consider the registration obligations required of childminders. Information about this can be found on the government website (England) and the Care Inspectorate Wales website.

A childminder may also wish to consider joining a professional organisation such as PACEY
PACEY is the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

A childminder will need to consider what other policy documents they may need to hold and other requirements they may need to meet in addition to this agreement. For example, this would include:
- a privacy/data protection policy
- a complaints policy
- a DBS check
- insurance requirements
- any specific consent forms they may need from parents/guardians (this document contains a standard health/medical consent form)

How to use this document

This document should be completed with all the relevant information about the childminder and their services. The document should be kept by the childminder and provided to each parent/guardian once they sign up for the services.

The parent/guardian will be required to sign the document and specify important information about the relevant child(ren) and the services which they require. The childminder will then review this information and will notify the parent/guardian once the request for services is accepted.

The agreement will then commence upon the childminder's acceptance. The childminder and the parent/guardian should sign the document and each party should retain a signed copy. The services may then be conducted in accordance with the agreement.

Relevant law

The Consumer Rights Act 2015

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/3134

The Children Act 1989

The Care Standards Act 2000

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.