When you apply to register with Ofsted as a childcare provider you will need to fill out an application form. The form asks about the childcare you plan to provide as well as information about you, and people you will work with.
There are 4 different types of registration with Ofsted and you can find out which form applies to you.
After you have submitted your application, we will email you to confirm we’ve received it. We will then review your application and contact you to confirm if we can accept it. If we accept your application, this doesn’t mean you are now registered with Ofsted, it just means we can progress your application and begin the required checks.
Sometimes we will return an application. This blog explains some of the most common reasons why that might happen and what you need to do next.
Make sure all your information is correct
One of the most common reasons we have to return applications is because some information is missing or incorrect. This could mean your personal details are entered incorrectly, or don’t match on different parts of the form. Please check your application before submitting it to avoid any mistakes.
Fill in the right DBS details
You will need a valid DBS certificate that meets the correct criteria. It is important to make sure that the details provided on the application form match those on your DBS certificate, including all previous names and 5-year address history.
Apply to join the right register(s)
As part of your application you will be asked about the ages of the children you intend to look after and the register(s) you wish to apply to join. Your local authority will be able to help you with this.
We often find that the registers people apply for do not match the ages of children being cared for. It is important to understand which register(s) you need to join to avoid being incorrectly registered. Our post applying to register with Ofsted: what you need to know has more information.
Know whether you're exempt or not
There are some circumstances where you cannot register with Ofsted – for example, if you are disqualified or plan to look after children for less than 2 hours a day, unless you are providing before and/or after school care.
There are also situations where you don’t have to register because the type of childcare you will provide is exempt. In these cases you may choose to register on the Voluntary Childcare Register. You should look at which exemption applies to your childcare and the requirements you must follow if you decide to register voluntarily.
If you choose to register on the Voluntary Childcare Register you must make this clear in your application and briefly explain why you do not need to register on either the Early Years Register or Compulsory Childcare Register. Without this, we may need to return your form or contact you for more information, which can delay the process.
Use the correct unique reference number
If you are applying to register as a daycare provider, such as a nursery or pre-school and want to add a setting to your application, you will need to complete an EYS form. When completing an EYS form you must use the correct unique reference number (URN) for your application. This also applies to anyone who needs to complete an EY2 form to join a nursery or other daycare organisation. We will send you your URN when we accept your initial application, and you should use it for any more applications.
If you are joining a daycare or other group provider operating on non-domestic premises, you must use the registered person’s URN. You can find this number at the top of the registration certificate, referred to as the ‘registration number’. If you are joining a daycare operating in a home, you will need to use the setting URN.
Make sure the application declaration matches
At the end of the application you must fill in a declaration. This declaration says that you will meet the requirements of the register(s) you are applying to join. If the information you fill in here does not match the rest of the form we cannot accept it. For example, if you select the incorrect register this can mean the declaration becomes void.
If we have to return your application
We will send you an email if we need to return your application. The email will explain why we have returned your application and contain a link to it. This link expires after 24 hours but you can still access your form through your Government Gateway account if you are registering as a group provider or the application portal if you are registering as a childminder or nanny.
Once you have resubmitted your application, we will need to assess it again and confirm if we can accept it. This restarts the process and the time it takes – so do make the changes as soon as possible.
If you are a childminder and we’ve had to return your form because of incorrect information about a household member, you will need to resubmit the full application once you have made the required changes.
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