Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Most paying customers for childminding in Denmark arrive through local networks and visible listings. Common sources are neighbours and friends-of-friends, colleagues at work, parents at local schools or clubs, and online searches. Local parent groups on Facebook or neighbourhood messaging apps often generate short-term bookings and recommendations. When you also list yourself in a searchable marketplace, people who are actively looking for a childminder in their area can find you and post task requests.
Think of customer sources in two groups - personal networks that send steady referrals, and public listings that bring one-off or trial bookings. Both matter: referrals build longer-term regular work, while public listings and marketplace tasks help you get initial paid bookings and reviews.
- Neighbours, friends and family referrals
- Coworkers and workplace noticeboards
- Parents at schools, sports clubs or playgroups
- Local online groups and search results
- Marketplace listings where people post tasks
Setting your first price and talking about money
Set a first price by adding up your time, travel, materials, insurance and a margin for administration. Decide whether you charge by the hour, per session or a weekly rate for recurring care. Many childminders start with simple, transparent terms so parents understand what they pay for and when you expect payment.
When you talk about money, be clear and direct. Say your rate, what it covers, how you prefer to be paid and your cancellation policy. Put the same information on any profile or booking page so there is no misunderstanding after a booking is made. If you accept card payments through a platform, confirm when the payment is taken and whether you keep any cancellation fees.
- Add time, travel and direct costs before you set a rate
- Choose hourly, per session or recurring rates
- State payment method, payment timing and cancellation terms
- List the same pricing and rules on your profile and in messages
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers you get are often a mix of short trials and occasional repeat bookings. Expect neighbours and friends-of-friends to be the easiest early customers because they already trust you. Colleagues or parents met at school may book occasional evenings or regular after-school help. Marketplace postings or search results typically produce single bookings where parents test you out.
Early customers tend to ask about experience, references and practicalities like meals, naps, transport and emergency contact details. Keep early bookings simple - one or two children at a time if you are starting alone, clear start and end times, and a written message confirming the booking and price.
- Neighbours and friends make up a significant share of first clients
- Work colleagues and school parents often provide recurring hours
- Marketplace tasks bring trial bookings from new families
- Early bookings are usually small and specific - evenings or short sessions
Taking payments and legal checks in Denmark
If you take money as an independent person in Denmark, check several things with the relevant authorities and providers rather than relying on assumptions. Contact Erhvervsstyrelsen - the Danish Business Authority - or their information portals to ask whether you need to register a business form under your circumstances and if you must obtain a CVR number. Ask SKAT - the Danish Tax Agency - about how to report income, whether you must register for VAT, how preliminary tax works and which receipts to keep for deductions.
Also check with your local kommune about rules for providing paid childcare from your home or elsewhere. Municipal rules can cover safety requirements, maximum numbers of children and whether any local approvals or inspections are required. Finally, speak with an insurance company about liability and accident insurance for a childminding activity so you understand what your policy covers and whether you need extra protection.
- Ask Erhvervsstyrelsen whether you must register a business or get a CVR
- Ask SKAT how to report income, about VAT registration and tax payments
- Ask your local kommune about childcare rules, approvals and safety requirements
- Ask an insurer about liability and accident coverage for childminding
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Several practical issues recur for new childminders. The most common problems are unclear agreements about hours and cancellations, parents expecting extra tasks (housework, long outings) that you did not accept, and taking on too many children too quickly. Administrative problems include not keeping clear records of income and expenses, not checking legal obligations early enough, and having insufficient insurance.
Prevent problems by using written confirmations for bookings, clear cancellation conditions, and a simple record system for income and receipts. Take time to set boundaries about what you will and will not do during a booking. If a parent asks for something outside your usual work, agree a clear extra payment and record it.
- Unclear hours and cancellation rules
- Mismatch of expectations about duties
- Taking on too many children at once
- Missing records and tax paperwork
- Insufficient insurance coverage
How a Websta profile fits into finding and booking work
A Websta profile acts like a simple public-facing page you can send to parents and include in messages. It lists your services, prices, photos and contact options. It also supports online booking so parents can see availability and book without multiple messages. Payments from customers can be taken by card and are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe - you set the prices.
Listing yourself on a searchable marketplace helps you be found by people actively looking for childcare in your area, and it gives potential customers one central place to read about you, see photos, check your services and book. Use that page as the consistent source for your terms, pricing and contact information so new customers see the same details you give to friends and local groups.
- A single page you can share with parents
- Displays services, prices, photos and booking options
- Card payments can be taken and paid to your bank account through Stripe
- Helps people find you when they search the marketplace
Frequently asked questions
- Can I childmind while keeping my full-time job in Denmark?
- Yes - many childminders start part-time alongside other work. Be clear about your availability, set limits on hours and days, and check with your employer whether any secondary work affects your contract. Also check tax reporting obligations with SKAT.
- Do I need to register my childminding business in Denmark?
- That depends on your turnover and how you organise the activity. Contact Erhvervsstyrelsen to ask whether you must register a business form or obtain a CVR number, and ask SKAT how to report the income.
- Should I have insurance as a childminder?
- Yes, you should speak with an insurer about liability and accident cover for childminding. Ask them what the policy covers, whether it applies to paid work from home and what exclusions exist.
- How should I handle cancellations and no-shows?
- Set a clear cancellation policy before you accept bookings, write it into your booking confirmation and repeat it when a parent hires you. Common steps are to state when cancellation is free, when a fee applies, and how you will handle rescheduling. Keep confirmations in writing.
- How do I get my first customers quickly?
- Start with people you already know - neighbours, friends, colleagues and parents at school. Use local online groups and a marketplace listing so parents who do not know you can find and test your services. Ask early customers for references if they are happy to recommend you.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.