INSURANCE GUIDE
Childminder Insurance UK
Public liability, professional indemnity and employers liability for Ofsted-registered childminders and nursery settings.
TL;DR
- Ofsted registration requires childminders to hold public liability insurance as a mandatory condition.
- The EYFS statutory framework requires appropriate insurance for all registered early years providers.
- Employers liability is legally required if you employ any assistants or nursery staff.
- Professional indemnity covers claims arising from your childcare decisions and advice to parents.
Ofsted Registration and Insurance Requirements
Childminders and nursery providers registered with Ofsted are required to hold appropriate public liability insurance as a condition of their registration. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework requires registered providers to hold public liability insurance as a safeguarding and welfare requirement. Ofsted can inspect and enforce this requirement. Operating as a registered childminder without adequate public liability insurance is a breach of registration conditions.
Public Liability for Childminders
Public liability insurance covers claims by children in your care, their parents, or other third parties for injury or property damage during your childminding activities. Children's injury claims can be significant given their potential long-term impact on development and earnings capacity. Most childminder policies provide public liability limits of £5m or £10m given the vulnerability of the children in care. Confirm that the policy covers children in your care and not just members of the public.
Vehicle Cover for Transporting Children
Childminders who transport minded children in their own vehicle need to notify their motor insurer. Carrying children as part of a childminding business is a business use that must be declared. Standard social, domestic, and pleasure motor insurance does not cover transporting minded children. A business use extension or a specific childminder vehicle endorsement is required.
Employers Liability for Nurseries
Nurseries and childminding settings that employ any staff - additional childcare workers, administrators, or helpers - must hold employers liability insurance of at least £5m under the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. This applies from the first day any employee is engaged, including part-time and casual staff during busy periods.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Kaeltripton.com is not regulated by the FCA. Always read policy documents in full before purchasing cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do childminders need professional indemnity insurance?
Ofsted does not mandate professional indemnity as a registration condition. However, childminders who provide advice to parents on child development, SEND support, or dietary and health matters face professional indemnity exposure if that advice is followed and causes harm. Professional indemnity is available as an add-on to childminder public liability policies and provides an additional layer of protection for advice-based activities.
Does childminder insurance cover accidents in the garden?
Childminder public liability covers incidents wherever the childminding activities take place - indoors, in the garden, on outings, and in transit. The policy should cover children in your care at all times during the childminding hours, not just within the house. Confirm that outdoor and off-premises activities are within the policy scope when arranging cover.
