Ofsted registers

Ofsted register childcare providers on two registers:

• Early years register
• Childcare register

Early years providers, childminders and out of school provisions can apply to join one or both registers.

Most childcare providers caring for children aged under eight must register with Ofsted, unless the law says they are not required to do so. There is a fact sheet that tells you about the types of care that are not required to register with Ofsted on the Ofsted guidance page.

Some childcare providers who are not required to register with Ofsted, but would like to, are able to join the voluntary part of the childcare register.

If you are not sure whether you need to register, please call the Ofsted helpline on 0300 123 1231 for more information.

Early years register

All early years providers, such as childminders, day nurseries, pre-schools and private nursery schools, providing for children from birth to 31 August following the childs fifth birthday must register on the Early Years Register and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Childcare register

The Childcare Register has two parts - a compulsory and voluntary part.

Registration on the childcare register relies on the applicant making a declaration to confirm that they will meet the requirements of registration. Ofsted carries out a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check on the applicant but does not normally carry out any other checks.

Compulsory

A childcare provider must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if they care for children from the 1 September following the childs fifth birthday up to the age of eight.

Voluntary

Some childcare providers can choose to register with Ofsted if they want to provide care that does not need to formally register with Ofsted. This includes:

• home-based care in the home of the child (nannies)
• activity-based settings such as sports coaching or tuition
• short-term care such as crèches
• care that is only for children aged eight to their 18th birthday

Providers who are on the early years register and/or the compulsory part of the childcare register can apply to have their conditions of registration varied or removed at any time.

Further information, guidance and forms relating to registering with Ofsted can be found on the Ofsted guidance page.

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