Ofsted Requirements
Childcare is an essential part of the Governments's strategy to enable parents to return to work or access training opportunities. Ofsted has the duty to inspect and regulate provision for children from birth to 17 years of age.
Ofsted registration
Most childcare providers, caring for children under eight years of age must be registered with Ofsted, unles the law says they are not required to do so.
There are two Ofsted registers; the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register, with the Childcare Register having two parts (Compulsory register and Voluntary register).
If you are an early years childcare provider and you care for children up to the 31 August following the child’s fifth birthday, you must register on the Early Years Register and deliver the EYFS.
If you are a later years childcare provider and you care for children from the 1 September following their fifth birthday up to the age of eight, you must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and meet its requirements.
If you are a childcare provider and you care for children from age eight to under 18, or provide care for younger children for which you are exempt from registration then you may choose to register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register and meet its requirements.
It is possible to be on one, two or three of the registers at the same time.
For more information about any of the Registers visit the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk or phone Ofsted on 08456 404040.
Ofsted produce some very helpful factsheets, these can be accessed by clicking here.
