National Union of Childminders (NUC)

About us

Whether you’re a past or present Ofsted-registered childminder, you can join the National Union of Childminders. Unlike traditional unions, we are not affiliated with any political party. Our sole purpose is to represent the interests of our members - nothing more, nothing less. You can trust that our focus is entirely on your needs as a childminder.

Union Structure

A union does not have to have statutory recognition in order to be a union. We are therefore an operating union. However, our aim is to have statutory recognition in the coming months, as the application and acceptance process can take some time. Statutory recognition will give us extra weight as a union and also enable for example, members to claim their union membership as an expense. This is one of the reasons why we are currently only offering free, non-obligatory, membership. Statutory recognition will also mean that we will have the option to change our current structure from a limited company into an organisation. 

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Membership

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Free Union Member Registration

Union member registration is available today for free. Simply fill in the form below with your details and find out how we can help you by offering support networks, conferences, weekly webinars and CPD opportunities. We will be gathering information from our members about the issues that matter most to you, so that we can present these to Ofsted/ your regulator, local governments, and central government. You can upgrade to a full (paid) membership at any point.

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Full Access Membership (Coming soon!)

Full Access Membership will be available online following our first general meeting. Registered members will continue to receive regular updates by email. If you are not a member, keep updated via our website/ X / bluesky.

When you register for full access union membership, you will be able to access your personal account and all of the resources 365 days a year. These will include free letter templates and union advice if you are unhappy with a regulator inspection or visit, a complaint has been made against you, your registration has been suspended or you have received a notice of your regulator’s intention to cancel your registration. The NUC will also provide union support and accompany you to regulator/ local authority meetings and appeals. There are no different ‘grades’ of full access membership. Everyone who joins us pays the same flat fee, with no hidden costs and no extras.

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We represent the interests of all childminders, whether members or not. The NUC will campaign locally, regionally and nationally, and speak to regulators/ Ofsted and the Department of Education on the behalf of individuals and childminders as a group.

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Free Registration

The NUC is offering free union member registration for Ofsted-registered childminders (past & present). Simply fill in the form with your details and find out how we can support you and help you to fight back against poor funding formulas, unfair Ofsted/ local authority demands and inspections, and give childminders a real voice and the professional respect we deserve.