For childminders in England
The policies a childminder is expected to have
There are 35 of them. The EYFS asks for 9 in writing. The rest are expected practice: inspectors ask to see them, insurers assume them, and parents are given them. Below is the whole list, what each one has to cover, and which is which.
This is a guide to what each policy covers. It is not legal advice, and it is not model policy text. Tea Tin does not write your policies for you, because a policy you have not thought about is worth less at inspection than three honest paragraphs of your own.
Safeguarding
- Safeguarding and child protectionRequired in writingThe EYFS requires a written safeguarding policy and procedure.
- Attendance and absenceRequired in writingThe EYFS has required an attendance policy since September 2025, shared with parents: what you do when a child is absent without notice or for a long time.
- Prevent duty and British valuesRequired in writingEarly years providers are subject to the Prevent duty.
- WhistleblowingExpected where anyone else works with you, and good practice regardless.
- Mobile phones, cameras and online safetyThe EYFS requires a policy on the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting.
- Lost or missing childInspectors commonly ask you to talk through this one.
- Uncollected childYou need a plan before it happens at 6pm on a Friday.
- Visitors and people in the homeYou must tell Ofsted about new people aged 16+ living or working at the premises.
Health and safety
- Health and safetyUnderpins your risk assessments and insurance.
- Risk assessmentThe EYFS requires you to assess risk, though not necessarily to write every assessment down.
- Accidents, injuries and first aidRequired in writingThe EYFS requires accident and injury records, and notification of serious incidents to Ofsted.
- Administering medicationRequired in writingThe EYFS requires a policy and written parental consent before administering medicine.
- Sickness, illness and infection controlParents need to know your exclusion periods before they need them.
- Food, drink and healthy eatingYou are a food business and must be registered with your local authority.
- Allergies and dietary requirementsAllergy information must reach whoever prepares and serves the food.
- Emergency evacuation and fireRequired in writingThe EYFS requires emergency evacuation procedures and fire detection equipment.
- Animals and petsThe September 2026 EYFS framework prohibits childcare where banned dog breeds are present.
- Smoking, alcohol and drugsApplies to you, your household and visitors.
Care and daily practice
- Behaviour managementInspectors ask how you support positive behaviour. Physical punishment is prohibited.
- Sleep and safer sleepSafer sleep requirements were strengthened in the September 2026 EYFS framework.
- Screen useNew in the 2026 EYFS: you must have regard to the government’s guidance on screen use for young children. A short policy is the easiest way to show you have.
- Nappy changing and intimate careProtects the child and protects you.
- Arrivals, departures and collectionCovers who may collect and what you do if someone unexpected arrives.
- Outings and tripsConsent and risk assessment both need to be in place before you leave the house.
- Settling in and transitionsCovers starting with you, moving rooms or settings, and starting school.
- Partnership with parentsHow information flows both ways.
Inclusion
- Equality, diversity and inclusionExpected under the Equality Act and by inspectors.
- SEND and additional needsThe EYFS requires arrangements to support children with SEND.
Records and data protection
- Confidentiality and data protectionRequired in writingUK GDPR applies. Most childminders must also pay the ICO data protection fee.
- Privacy notice for parentsRequired in writingUK GDPR requires you to tell people what you do with their data.
- Record keeping and retentionDifferent records have very different retention periods.
Running the business
- Complaints procedureRequired in writingThe EYFS requires a written complaints procedure, and a record of complaints.
- Fees, payment and late collectionMost parent disputes trace back to this being vague.
- Notice and termination of contractNeeds to be agreed before anyone wants to use it.
- Emergency closure and business continuityCovers illness, bereavement, flood, and loss of utilities.
Writing them is the slow part
Tea Tin walks you through all 35, one question at a time, with an example of how another childminder answered each one, and keeps track of when each policy is next due a review. It also watches the guidance the policies answer to and tells you when something changes, which you can see on the guidance updates page.
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