Hiring and Sponsoring Childminders (SOC Code 6114)

Childminders, classified under SOC Code 6114, are dedicated childcare professionals who play an essential role in the early development of children. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, ensuring that their physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met. Key responsibilities include:

• Personal Care: 
• • Changes babies’ nappies and clothes as necessary.
  • Prepares and serves children’s meals, supervising them during mealtimes.
• Activity Planning and Supervision:
• • Engages in planning and participating in indoor and outdoor play activities to support children’s developmental milestones.
  • Organizes outings to playgroups and other appropriate activities.
• Transportation: 
• • Safely transports older children to and from school.
• Record-Keeping:
• • Maintains detailed records of children’s development and progress.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• • Adheres to regulations set by OFSTED and meets inspection requirements.

With the increasing demand for quality childcare services, many parents and families seek qualified childminders to support their children’s early years. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the requirements and processes for hiring and sponsoring childminders under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Childminders?

SOC Code 6114 refers to childminders who provide care and supervision for young children in a home setting. Their responsibilities can include:

• Changing nappies and clothes: Ensuring that babies are comfortable and hygienic by changing their nappies and clothes as needed.
• Preparing meals: Planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals for children while supervising them during meal times.
• Facilitating play activities: Providing, supervising, and actively participating in children’s indoor and outdoor play to encourage their physical, social, and emotional development.
• Organizing outings: Taking children to play groups or arranging suitable outings to enhance their experiences and learning opportunities.
• School transportation: Assisting older children by safely transporting them to and from school.
• Maintaining development records: Keeping detailed and accurate records of each child's development and progress.
• Compliance with regulations: Adhering to regulations set by OFSTED and ensuring compliance with their inspection requirements.

Childminders play a vital role in early childhood care and education, fostering a supportive environment for children's growth and development.

Eligibility to Hire Childminders (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Childminders seeking employment must exhibit their competencies in childcare and meet specific qualifications and experience criteria. These may include:

• Childcare Experience: Prior experience working with children, particularly in a similar role or setting.
• Certification: Relevant qualifications in childcare, such as a Level 2 or 3 Certification in Childcare or an equivalent.
• Meal Preparation Skills: Ability to plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals for children, ensuring dietary requirements are met.
• Supervision Skills: Proven capability in supervising children during play and meal times, promoting safety and developmental growth.
• Activity Planning: Skills in planning and implementing indoor and outdoor play activities to foster physical and cognitive development.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal communication skills to interact effectively with children, parents, and regulatory bodies.
• Record Keeping: Ability to maintain accurate records of children's development in accordance with OFSTED regulations and inspection requirements.

Ensure that these qualifications align with SOC Code 6114 and that the childminder’s experience and practices meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Childminders: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Childminders under SOC Code 6114.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Childminders, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Childminders under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Childminders. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Childminders applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Childminders’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Childminders can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Childminders

Before the Childminders begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Childminders’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Childminders holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Childminders’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Childminders’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Childminderss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Childminders

Sponsoring Childminders under SOC Code 6114 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Childminders, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Childminders under SOC Code 6114 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.