DBS Checks for Childcare Workers
Self-employed childcare workers in England and Wales can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check for the first time. If you work with children in a paid, self-employed role, this is the page for you.
What Is a DBS Check for Childcare Workers?
A DBS check for childcare is a criminal record check run by the Disclosure and Barring Service. It tells parents, nurseries, and commissioning organisations whether you have any criminal history that would affect your suitability to work with children. For self-employed childcare workers, it is the single most important document you can hold.
Because childcare involves unsupervised access to children, the relevant level is an Enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children’s Barred List. This goes well beyond a Basic check. It reveals spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and any relevant police intelligence. It also confirms whether you appear on the Children’s Barred List, which would legally bar you from working with children.
If you are a self-employed childcare provider, a nursery worker operating independently, or anyone delivering paid childcare outside of an employment contract, a childcare DBS check is what clients and regulators expect to see. Without one, you are relying on a Basic check that tells parents almost nothing.
You can read more about how self-employed DBS checks work on our main hub page.
Do Self-Employed Childcare Workers Need a DBS Check?
If you are paid to look after other people’s children and you do not have an employer processing checks on your behalf, you need a childcare DBS check. That applies whether you work as a freelance nursery worker, a self-employed childcare provider covering sessions at multiple settings, or a sole trader running your own childcare service from home.
Parents are increasingly aware that a Basic DBS check does not show barred list information. When they hire a self-employed childcare worker, they want to see an Enhanced certificate. Many nursery groups and childcare agencies now require one before they will book you for any session. Childminding networks and local authorities routinely ask for it as well.
The practical reality is straightforward. A childcare provider DBS check is not just a regulatory box to tick. It is the document that lets parents trust you with their children and lets you operate with confidence. If your work falls within regulated activity with children, which most paid childcare roles do, you are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
Get your Enhanced DBS check as a self-employed childcare worker fully online, digital ID verification, e-Bulk submitted today from self-employed-dbs.co.uk.
Before 21 January 2026, self-employed childcare workers had no way to apply for an Enhanced DBS check. The system only allowed checks at that level to be requested by an employer or a registered organisation. If you were self-employed, the highest check available to you was a Basic DBS, which shows only unspent convictions and nothing else.
That meant a self-employed nursery worker or childcare provider could be working with children every day, and parents had no way to confirm whether that person appeared on the Children’s Barred List. The gap existed for years, and it was a significant safeguarding blind spot.
A Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament on 20 November 2025 changed the rules. It amended Part V of the Police Act 1997 and came into force on 21 January 2026. Self-employed individuals in England and Wales who are paid to work in regulated activity can now apply for an Enhanced DBS check through a registered platform.
For childcare workers, this closes the gap entirely. Whether you are a self-employed nursery worker, a freelance childcare provider, or any other independent professional delivering paid childcare, you now have the same access to Enhanced checks as your employed counterparts. The childcare DBS check route is open, and there is no reason to rely on a Basic check any longer.
What Type of DBS Check Does a Childcare Worker Need?
Most self-employed childcare workers need an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. This is the highest level of check available, and it is the appropriate one for anyone whose paid work involves caring for, supervising, or teaching children.
The Enhanced check with barred list is required when your role meets the definition of regulated activity with children. For childcare workers, that definition is almost always met. Regulated activity includes unsupervised care or supervision of children, teaching or training children, and providing personal care to children. If your work fits any of those descriptions, the Enhanced plus barred list check applies.
A Standard DBS check exists but is not the right level for childcare roles. Standard checks do not include barred list information and are typically used for roles with less direct contact. For a nursery worker DBS check or any childcare provider DBS check, Enhanced with barred list is the correct choice.
| Role | Check Required |
|---|---|
| Self-employed nursery worker (unsupervised sessions) | Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List |
| Freelance childcare provider covering multiple settings | Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List |
| Self-employed home childcarer | Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List |
| After-school or holiday club worker (self-employed) | Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List |
If you are unsure which level of check applies to your specific childcare role, our self-employed DBS hub page explains the differences in detail.
How to Get a DBS Check as a Self-Employed Childcare Worker
The process is straightforward, though it differs from the route an employed childcare worker would take.
Check eligibility
You must be paid and in a qualifying role. Volunteers are not covered.
Register an account
Self-employed applicants cannot submit directly to the DBS.
Complete application
Personal details, 5 years of addresses, and your role information.
Verify your identity
Digitally via biometric passport or EU ID card, or with standard documents.
Receive certificate
Posted directly to you. Show the original to your client or parent.
How Long Does a DBS Check Take for Childcare Workers?
Most Enhanced DBS checks are returned within 14 days, though some take longer depending on the circumstances. If the DBS needs to request information from local police forces, and those forces hold relevant records, the process can take several weeks. There is no guaranteed fast-track route for Enhanced checks.
For a nursery worker DBS check or childcare provider DBS check, the timeline is the same as any other Enhanced application. The speed depends on the DBS, not the occupation. You can track your application status through your online account once it has been submitted.
Once your certificate arrives, consider signing up for the DBS Update Service within 30 days. It costs £16 per year and lets employers and clients check your certificate status online, so you do not need to apply again every time someone asks. You can find more detail on timings and the application process on our FAQs page.
How Much Does a DBS Check Cost for a Childcare Worker?
| Check Type | DBS Fee |
|---|---|
| Enhanced DBS | £49.50 |
| Enhanced + Barred List | £49.50 |
| DBS Update Service | £16/year |
The DBS fee is VAT-exempt. No payment is taken until your application is complete and ready for submission. For a full breakdown of fees including all check types, see our DBS check costs page.
This guide applies to self-employed workers in England and Wales only. Self-employed workers in Scotland should apply through Disclosure Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent service is AccessNI. This page is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, contact our support team or consult a qualified legal adviser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a DBS check to work in childcare if I am self-employed?
What level of DBS check do childcare workers need?
Can a self-employed nursery worker get an Enhanced DBS check?
How much does a childcare DBS check cost?
The DBS statutory fee for an Enhanced check is £49.50. The DBS Update Service, which keeps your certificate current, costs £16 per year. No payment is taken until your application is ready to submit.
How long does a childcare worker DBS check take?
What is the difference between a Basic and an Enhanced DBS check for childcare?
Do I need a new DBS check for every childcare client?
Is a DBS check for childcare the same as a DBS check for nannies or childminders?
The check level is the same. Childcare workers, nannies, and childminders all require an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. The application process through self-employed-dbs.co.uk is identical for all three.