Ofsted

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) inspects and regulates the services of childcare providers. A provider registered by Ofsted has to ensure all staff working with children and anybody aged 16 or over that either lives at or is a regular visitor to the premises has a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Anyone who provides childcare for children under eight years old for more than two hours at a time and for more than six times a year has to register with Ofsted by law.

There are two different registers for childcare providers:

The Early Years Register

Childcare providers of children aged from birth until the 31 August following their fifth birthday must register on the Early Years Register. To be exempt from registration they must meet the exemption rules set by Ofsted.

The Childcare Register

Childcare providers offering childcare to children older than those requiring early years registration but under the age of eight must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. To be exempt from registration they must meet the exemption rules set by Ofsted. Exempt providers can choose to register on the voluntary part of the childcare register.

All Ofsted-registered providers will have a certificate of registration. This must be displayed during their hours of operation, unless childcare is being provided in the provider’s own home, in which case you can ask to see their certificate.

For further information visit the Ofsted website or email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.