Is there an opportunity for you?
With rules now allowing childminders to operate from properties other than their own homes, childminding has recently become a more flexible and appealing career option for lots more people.
Maybe you’ve thought about becoming a childminder before but didn’t like the idea of your home turning into a mini nursery. With the new ‘childminder without domestic premises’ category of childminder, you now have the option to keep your home life separate while building a business that lets you shape your day, your way.
Of course, this new opportunity comes with responsibilities. Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is crucial, so you’ll need to consider safeguarding requirements, conduct risk assessments, and create a nurturing environment that supports both care and learning. Another key consideration is keeping costs low – finding affordable or no-cost spaces is essential to ensure that your childminding business remains sustainable, especially as the numbers of children you care for are restricted by the childminder ratios.
While these challenges might seem daunting at first, they’re manageable with the right preparation and support. At @Home Childcare, we’re here to guide you through every step, from understanding safeguarding requirements to creating the perfect environment for children’s care and learning. Whether you’re someone with previous experience working with children or looking for a new career that’s personally fulfilling and financially rewarding, this change could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
For those who manage or own properties – be it a village hall, a church, or even an unused office – this could also be a great opportunity for you. By offering your space for childminding, you could generate extra income while supporting your local community.
Interested? Get in touch with us to explore how we can help you make the most of this new category of childminding.
Here are 10 places that could be ideal for non-domestic childminding:
1. Multi-Faith Places of Worship
These include churches, mosques/masjids, gurdwaras, synagogues, and Hindu temples. Many have halls or rooms that are only busy on weekends or evenings, meaning they’re free during the day.
Why it Works:
Usually affordable or donation-based, helping to keep costs manageable for childminders.
Already set up with kitchens, bathrooms, and large spaces.
They’re welcoming environments, which parents appreciate.
They often have a strong presence within the community.
Potential Barriers:
May require sensitivity to the specific practices or rules of the faith community.
Some faith leaders might be hesitant without a clear understanding of how the space will be used.
Tip: Speak with the leaders of these places about how childminding could benefit the local community.
2. Community Centres
Community centres are designed to host all kinds of activities, so they’re naturally a good fit for childcare. Plus, they’re often right in the heart of local neighbourhoods.
Why it Works:
Central and easy to get to, with many offering budget-friendly rental options.
Budget-friendly for community-based services.
They’ve already got safety features and plenty of space.
Potential Barriers:
Availability may be limited if the centre has a busy schedule.
Rental costs could vary depending on demand.
Tip: Show how your childminding business can compliment their existing services for local families.
3. Village Halls
Village halls are often available during the day when they’re not being used for classes or events. They’re spacious and usually come with basic facilities.
Why it Works:
Affordable with flexible rental terms, making it easier to keep overheads low.
Large, open spaces that are easy to set up for kids.
Potential Barriers:
Limited facilities in some older halls (e.g., outdated kitchens or toilets).
Availability may be limited if the centre has a busy schedule.
May require added safety measures like childproofing.
Tip: Build a good relationship with the hall committee – they’re often keen to support local initiatives.
4. Business Innovation Hubs, Service Offices, or Co-Working Spaces
Many business hubs, serviced offices, and co-working spaces have under-utilised meeting rooms or event spaces, particularly during weekdays. These can provide a professional, well-equipped environment for non-domestic childminding.
Why it Works:
Typically well-maintained with modern facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi.
Offers flexibility in terms of hours and availability.
Some hubs may offer low or no-cost use in exchange for you providing additional service to their tenants/customers.
Potential Barriers:
Some spaces may have restrictions on noise or activities.
Requires careful negotiation with space managers to ensure long-term availability.
Some hubs may see your childcare service as a business, and therefore want to charge you a commercial rent.
Tip: Highlight how a childminding service could enhance the hub’s appeal to parents or entrepreneurs working on-site as well as to the larger local community.
5. Sports Clubs
During the day, sports clubs (Cricket/Rugby/Golf etc) often have meeting rooms or lounges that sit empty. These could be used for childminding with minimal changes.
Why it Works:
Facilities like kitchens and bathrooms are already in place.
Plenty of parking and easy access for parents.
Potential Barriers:
Noise from nearby sports activities might be distracting.
Spaces may need rearranging to make them suitable for young children.
Tip: Suggest how offering childcare could bring in extra income and boost their community presence.
6. Leisure Centres
Leisure centres usually have studios or multipurpose rooms that are not in use all day. They’re already set up with the basics, making them easy to adapt.
Why it Works:
Built with safety in mind.
Lots of room for activities.
Potential Barriers:
High demand for space from fitness and community programmes.
Rental costs may vary depending on the centre’s policies.
Tip: Offer to collaborate on family-friendly programmes – childcare during parent classes, for example
7. Scout Halls and Guides Huts
Scout and guide buildings are made for young people, so they’re already set up to be safe and secure. They’re often available during the school day.
Why it Works:
Designed with kids in mind.
Affordable and community-focused.
Potential Barriers:
Availability may depend on the schedule of scout or guide groups.
Facilities might be basic, requiring extra setup.
Tip: Reach out to local scout or guide groups to arrange a regular rental agreement.
8. Housing Association Community Spaces
Many housing developments have community rooms that could be used for childminding. These are right on the doorstep of local families.
Why it Works:
Convenient for parents who live nearby.
Often low-cost or subsidised.
Potential Barriers:
Some spaces may have limited capacity.
Housing associations might require proof of community benefit before agreeing to a rental.
Tip: Show housing associations how childcare can benefit their residents and add value to their community spaces.
9. Offices and Workplaces
With many offices switching to hybrid work, they often have empty meeting rooms or extra space. Offering on-site childcare can be a big perk for their employees.
Why it Works:
Employers may offer space for free or at a reduced rate.
It’s super convenient for parents working on-site.
Potential Barriers:
Office spaces may not be designed for children, requiring adjustments.
Employers may need convincing about the value of on-site childcare
Tip: Pitch the idea to HR teams as a way to improve staff retention and productivity.
10. Nursing/Care Homes
Some nursing and care homes have communal areas that could be used for childminding during the day. This intergenerational approach offers benefits for both children and residents.
Why it Works:
Older residents enjoy the energy and companionship of children, which can boost their mood and reduce loneliness.
Many care homes have safe, accessible spaces, such as lounges or gardens, that are suitable for childminding.
Shared facilities like kitchens and bathrooms help keep costs low.
Potential Barriers:
Managing health and safety requirements for both children and residents can be complex.
Spaces may need some adjustments to make them fully child-friendly.
Noise and activity levels might need careful planning to ensure they don’t disrupt residents.
Tip: Work with care home managers to develop a clear plan that benefits both the children and the residents.
Wrapping Up
The Childminder Without Domestic Premises category offers a fresh approach to childminding by allowing you to start a business without using your home as the primary setting. Whether you’re looking for a fresh start or a flexible career, this could be a brilliant way to create your own schedule while working with children and earning a substantial income.
If you’ve got a property that could work for childminding, it’s worth exploring this idea further – it could benefit your community and bring in extra income.
Get Involved:
- Thinking about becoming a childminder? We’ve got resources to help you get started.
- Have a property? Let’s chat about how it could be used for childminding.
There’s a huge opportunity here to make childcare more accessible while supporting local families.
Let’s make it happen!
