Improving quality and raising standards in early years

We're committed to ensuring children in Barnsley get the best early years experience they can, and we support schools, childminders and other childcare settings to deliver high quality early years education and childcare.

We provide advice and guidance in a variety of areas, including the early years foundation stage and statutory framework, support with setting up a childcare business, updates on legislation and putting this into practice, and help to prepare your early years provision for its Ofsted inspection.

With our support, you can be assured that every child in your care gets the best start to their lifelong learning.

For more information

Call 0800 034 5340 or

Roles in the early years sector

There's a range of roles if you're interested in working in the early years sector, including in nurseries, family hubs, or as a childminder.

Becoming a childminder

Benefits of being a self-employed childminder and what you need to do to register and become a childminder.

Setting up and growing a childcare business

Practical business guidance whether you're starting out or growing an existing childcare business.

Leading an early years setting

What you'll need to successfully lead and manage an early years childcare business.

Ofsted registration and inspections

How to register with Ofsted and the support we can offer you to prepare for your inspection visit.

Funding for childcare places

Early education funding available for childcare places at your setting, and additional funding for eligible children.

Children's learning and development

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth up to 5 years old.

Statutory assessments

Details of the 2 year progress check and early years foundation stage profile to assess children's development.

Supporting inclusion

How to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and grants available to meet the needs of a child.

Working with parents

The importance of good relationships with parents and carers of children in your care, how to involve them, and your role in supporting families.

Safeguarding in early years settings

Guidance to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in early years settings, and safeguarding issues to be aware of.

Health and safety

Health and safety regulations you must follow to ensure your setting is a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Training and development

Our training programme for childcare and early years staff, how to book training, and providers of relevant qualifications.

Meet our early years team

Details of the early years consultants and quality improvement officers who support early years and childcare providers in Barnsley.

Resources and documents

Useful information, documents and websites for the early years sector, and how to register for our weekly email bulletin.