By Zara Smith, Coram PACEY Writer/Editor
In today’s digital world, childminders are not only safeguarding children in their care but also entrusted with highly personal and sensitive information about families. From registration forms to national insurance numbers and funding details and medical histories, even a small childminding business handles a surprising amount of data. While cybersecurity might seem like something only big companies need to worry about, the truth is that anyone who stores or processes personal information online can be at risk.
For childminders, strong cyber security is not just about protecting computers or phones—it’s about protecting trust, reputation, and, most importantly, the privacy and safety of the children and families they serve.
Why cybersecurity matters for childminders
Childminders often underestimate the value of the data they hold. Yet, to a cyber-criminal, even simple details like a parent’s phone number, a child’s date of birth, or a home address can be extremely valuable. Criminals may use such information for identity theft, scams, or to hold organisations to ransom. Additionally, a data breach can cause emotional stress for families and staff and serious reputational harm for the childcare business.
Consider:
- Family contact details can be misused if leaked.
- Information about the children’s daily activities or whereabouts could become a genuine safeguarding risk.
- Emails, invoices, and payment records may hold financial information that hackers would want to exploit.
Ultimately, a childminder’s responsibility isn’t only to care for children in person but also to ensure the safe and confidential handling of all family data.
Common cyber security risks for childminders
Being aware of the main risks makes it easier to prevent them. Some common cyber security challenges for childminders include phishing emails and scams, where innocent-looking messages may try to trick you into clicking on dangerous links, downloading files, or disclosing login details. Weak or re-used passwords also create vulnerabilities, as using the same password for multiple accounts makes it easier for criminals to gain access. Unsecured Wi-Fi or shared devices present another risk, since a lack of strong passwords or inadequate security measures can expose sensitive data. Finally, lost or stolen devices such as phones or laptops with unprotected files could give strangers direct access to children’s records. These issues may sound technical, but in practice, they revolve around everyday habits. Small oversights can have serious consequences, but equally, small improvements can greatly reduce risks.
Practical cyber security steps for childminders
The good news is that most cyber risks can be managed with simple, practical steps. You don’t need an IT department or special training to make your childminding business secure.
- Create strong, unique passwords, avoid simple phrases and never reuse the same password across multiple accounts. Password managers can help.
- Enable two-factor authentication which adds a second layer of login security (such as a text message code) and makes accounts far harder to hack.
- Lock and encrypt all devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops used for work. They should all be password or PIN protected. Encryption ensures that, even if a device is stolen, data cannot be easily accessed.
- Keep software regularly updated as this patches the security holes that hackers aim to exploit. Set devices to update automatically if possible.
- Communicate securely using only trusted apps or platforms when sending messages to parents. Avoid sharing personal information over insecure channels like social media.
- Back up information and store records in a secure, backed-up location. Cloud services that comply with UK GDPR and offer encryption are the most reliable option.
- Have a simple incident response plan, know what to do if a device is lost or hacked, including reporting to the ICO if a data breach occurs.
These measures may seem simple, but together they create strong layers of protection.
Legal and ethical responsibilities
Another key reason why cybersecurity matters is compliance. Childminders in the UK must follow the rules of UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the data protection ACT 2018 and the data safeguarding requirements from regulators such as Ofsted. This means that data breaches can carry legal penalties, not just reputational damage.
Beyond the law, there is also an ethical responsibility. Families trust childminders with not only their children but also their personal information. Showing that you take care of both helps demonstrate professionalism and reliability. Just as parents expect you to lock the front door for safety, they expect you to lock their data behind safe digital measures.
Building a culture of safety
Cyber security is not a one-off task but a mindset. Even as a self-employed individual, creating clear routines helps ensure everything is always handled properly. If you employ assistants, make sure they understand safe practices too—for example, not logging into work apps from personal devices without security. Communicate your safeguarding policies to parents. Let them know how information is stored and shared, and secure consent before publishing any photos online. Establish your own boundaries, such as not mixing personal and work-related social media accounts.
When families see that their data is respected, it strengthens trust and reassures them of their child’s safety in your care.
For childminders, cyber security is more than a technical issue—it’s part of safeguarding. Protecting children means not just keeping them safe in your setting but also safeguarding the information that relates to their lives and families. A data breach, however small, could erode trust and even endanger children.
The positive news is that improving your cybersecurity doesn’t require expensive equipment or advanced knowledge. Small steps—like stronger passwords, secure apps, device locks, and backups—add up to a big difference.
By taking cyber security seriously, childminders can uphold their duty of care, protect their reputation, and show parents they are committed to safety in every sense. In short, safeguarding children in the digital age starts with safeguarding their data
