# KinderStart

> KinderStart is a UK childminder management app (iOS, Android, web) that replaces paper-based admin with Ofsted-compliant digital records: invoicing, daily diaries, EYFS observation tracking, attendance registers, safeguarding logs, and HMRC Making Tax Digital tools. Built for registered childminders and early years educators in England, Scotland and Wales.

Key facts: founded in the UK; Standard Plan £119.99/year with a 7-day free trial; free Starter plan includes the Ofsted registration tracker. Apps: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/kinderstart/id6444826148 and https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kinderstart.app

## Product

- [Features overview](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features): everything the app does
- [Ofsted registration tracker](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features/ofsted-registration-tracker): free step-by-step registration progress tool
- [EYFS curriculum reports (England)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features/england-eyfs-curriculum-reports)
- [ELC curriculum reports (Scotland)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features/scotland-elc-curriculum-reports)
- [MTD childminder invoicing](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features/mtd-childminder-invoicing): HMRC Making Tax Digital compliant accounting
- [Mock Ofsted inspection simulator](https://kinderstart.co.uk/features/mock-ofsted-inspection-simulator)
- [Pricing](https://kinderstart.co.uk/pricing)
- [Reviews](https://kinderstart.co.uk/reviews)

## Guides for childminders

- [How to become a childminder](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/how-to-become-a-childminder): the full registration path
- [Ofsted registration step-by-step (2026)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/ofsted-registration-step-by-step-2026)
- [Ofsted requirements](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/ofsted-requirements)
- [Childminder ratios explained (2026)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/childminder-ratios-explained-2026)
- [Allowable expenses guide](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/allowable-expenses-guide): what UK childminders can claim
- [Tax return guide](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/tax-return-guide)
- [Making Tax Digital roadmap](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/mtd-roadmap)
- [Funded hours invoicing guide](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/funded-hours-invoicing-guide)
- [Safeguarding documentation guide](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/safeguarding-documentation-guide)
- [Startup costs](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/startup-costs)
- [Free templates](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources/free-templates): contracts, policies, forms
- [All resources](https://kinderstart.co.uk/resources)

## Free tools

- [Ratio checker](https://kinderstart.co.uk/tools/ratio-checker): check EYFS staff:child ratios
- [Funding calculator](https://kinderstart.co.uk/tools/funding-calculator): stretched funding calculations
- [MTD readiness quiz](https://kinderstart.co.uk/tools/mtd-readiness-quiz)

## Blog

- [Win Your Morning Routine: The 60-Second Childminder Sweep for Ofsted & Compliance in 2026](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/win-your-morning-routine-kinderstart): Master the 60-second childminder morning sweep. Discover how to streamline daily safety checks, exact attendance, and 2026 EYFS compliance with KinderStart.

- [Safer Recruitment for Childminders: Hiring Your First Assistant & Scaling Your Setting in 2026](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/safer-recruitment-childminders): Master safer recruitment for childminders hiring an assistant in 2026. Follow updated EYFS statutory guidance, Enhanced DBS vetting, ratios, MTD payroll, and Ofsted checks.

- [Stop Ticking Boxes: Why the New EYFS Wants Professional Judgement, Not Data – 2026 Statutory Guidance for Childminders](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/eyfs-2025-professional-judgement-vs-data-tracking): Discover why the 2026 EYFS statutory guidance replaces tick-box data tracking with professional judgement, plus practical rules for ratios, checks, and Ofsted.

- [Is Your Home Ofsted Ready? A Room-by-Room Safety Checklist (2026 EYFS Guidance)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/is-your-home-ofsted-ready-checklist): Complete 2026 room-by-room Ofsted home safety checklist for UK childminders. Master EYFS ratios, space per child, fire escape rules, safe sleep, and MTD mandates.

- [Navigating Funded Hours and Tax-Free Childcare: A Childminder's Guide (2026)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/funded-hours-tax-free-childcare-guide): Master 2026 UK funded childcare hours, Tax-Free Childcare rules, and EYFS compliance. Essential guide for childminders on itemised billing, MTD, ratios, and SEND duties.

- ["He Fell Off the Bed": Why Recording the 'Voice of the Child' is Your Most Important Safeguarding Duty (2026 EYFS Guidance)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/safeguarding-voice-of-the-child-existing-injuries): Discover why recording the verbatim 'voice of the child' is your essential safeguarding duty under the September 2026 EYFS framework. Explore existing injury workflows, statutory registers, and Ofsted compliance.

- [Why Your Spreadsheet Might Not Be MTD Compliant (2026): Digital Links, HMRC Rules, and EYFS Guidance](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/is-excel-mtd-compliant-digital-links-explained): Discover why your Excel or Google Sheets ledger might fail HMRC Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance in 2026, what digital links require, and how childminders stay compliant.

- [De-Mystifying the Ofsted Registration Visit: A Real-Life Account & 2026 Preparation Guide](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/ofsted-registration-visit-what-to-expect): A real-life account and complete 2026 guide to the Ofsted registration visit for childminders. Learn about the planning call, Report Card, EYFS rules, and MTD.

- [The Ultimate 2026 Checklist for Ofsted Registration (with Costs)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/2026-ofsted-registration-checklist-costs): Complete 2026 Ofsted registration checklist for childminders. Itemised statutory setup costs (£418.20–£658.20), £600 DfE grant, DBS rules, food hygiene, and EYFS compliance.

- [Nail Your Ofsted Planning: The 'Magic Link' to EYFS Next Steps (2026 Guidance)](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/magic-planning-eyfs-linking-kinderstart): Master the Ofsted observation, assessment, and planning cycle with the 2026 EYFS statutory framework for childminders. Discover how the 'Magic Link' eliminates paperwork.

- [The 2026 Guide to Childminder Tax & MTD: Expenses, Ratios and Digital Links](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog/childminder-tax-compliance-guide-2026): Authoritative 2026 UK childminder tax guide covering Making Tax Digital (MTD ITSA) thresholds, BIM52751 expenses, Section 33A cash basis, Section 224 PRR traps, and EYFS ratios.

- [Blog index](https://kinderstart.co.uk/blog): articles on registration, EYFS, finance, compliance and growing a childminding business