The 45-year-old slow left-arm bowler, who has taken more than 1,000 first-class wickets, began his career with Devon in 1973 and made his county debut for Gloucestershire two years later.
Childs at 36 years and 320 days became England's oldest debutant for more than 40 years in the third test against the West Indies at Old Trafford in 1988.
He played two tests, taking three wickets and scoring two runs.