Ofsted registration and inspections for childcare providers

Ofsted are the regulatory body who make sure the statutory requirements set out by the Department for Education for childcare and education are upheld.

Ofsted set out the registration requirements for childminders and childcare settings. Their education inspection framework includes a specific guide to inspecting early years providers.

If there are any significant changes to your setting, it's a statutory requirement to notify Ofsted of these.

Support we offer

We offer bespoke support so you're prepared for Ofsted inspections, including:

• 'ready for your inspection' visits
• premise visits for new childcare settings
• reviews of your practice
• dedicated toolkits on inclusion and business
• safeguarding audit tool

Further guidance

You can find more guidance about the early years foundation stage (EYFS), how to register as a childcare provider, and a guide for special educational needs and disability (SEND) in early years settings on GOV.UK.

The Ofsted inspections of early years and childcare providers page includes information about how Ofsted inspects providers on both the early years and childcare registers.

You may also find the following Ofsted documents useful to support you in the delivery of quality first teaching:

• Are you ready? Good practice in school readiness
• Unknown children - destined for disadvantage?
• Teaching and play in the early years - a balancing act?
• Bold beginnings - the reception curriculum in a sample of good and outstanding primary schools