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What is Ofsted?
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) is a government department that inspects and regulates institutions in England providing education to learners of all ages and providers of care for children and young people.
Ofsted inspect or regulate:
- Childminders
- Full and sessional daycare providers (such as day nurseries and pre-school playgroups)
- Out-of-school care. For example, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs and holiday playschemes
- Ofsted voluntary childcare (such as crèches or a home child carer)
- All state-maintained schools
- Some independent schools
- The overall level of services for children in local authority areas. These inspections are called Joint Area Reviews.
Ofsted Registers
There are two Ofsted registers: the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.
Early Years Register
The Early Years Register is for providers caring for children aged from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday.
They must meet all the Statutory requirements for the early years foundation stage. This includes requirements for safeguarding and welfare and learning and development.
Childcare Register
The Childcare Act 2006 introduced a new Ofsted Childcare Register. The register has two parts: compulsory and voluntary.
Compulsory
Childcare providers paid to look after children aged five to seven years for more than two hours a day must join the compulsory register. This is required by law.
Typically these are childminders or child carers who look after children before and after school or during the school holidays. There are some exemptions.
Voluntary
Childcare providers who are not required to register by law can choose to register on this part of the register. This allows eligible parents to use the childcare element of Universal Credit or use childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare (GOV.UK) to help with childcare costs.
The types of childcare that can choose to register include:
- those providing care for children aged over seven. For example, home child carers, breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday playschemes.
- activity based care (sports, drama, language or art clubs).
- care provided in the child's home. For example, nannies and au pairs or home based care for disabled children.
Inspection reports
After carrying out their inspection, Ofsted produce a report of their findings. These inspection reports can give you an impartial view of a childcare provider. They also provide information on how well the provider meets the standards set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage. But be aware that an Ofsted inspection only reflects a snapshot in time.
You can search for inspection reports on the Ofsted web page: reports.ofsted.gov.uk.
If a provider is newly registered, their report may not have been uploaded to the Osted website yet. If the report is not online, contact the provider who may be able to show you a copy of the report.
Making a complaint about childcare
If you have a complaint or concern about your childcare, you can contact Ofsted.
- call the Ofsted helpline on 0300 123 1231
- email Ofsted at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk