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The Holiday Activities and Food programme – when you need to register with Ofsted

Children and an adult playing outside

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE). The aim of the programme is to help families with enrichment activities and food for children throughout the holiday periods. The programme is for children …

My priorities for the early years sector

Young children and an adult playing outside

I’ve now been in the post of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector for nearly two months. It has been an incredibly busy but rewarding start to this new role. As you may know, I come from a schools background, having been …

Getting the right DBS when registering with Ofsted

A person's hands using a mouse and keyboard

Childminders and childcare workers, such as nannies, are responsible for the safety and well-being of children in their care. Ofsted is legally required to check an applicant’s suitability at the point of registration. For daycare providers, it is the provider’s responsibility …

Our early years curriculum roadshows on the education inspection framework (EIF)

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An image of HMCI Amanda Spielman and HMI Wendy Ratcliffe at an Ofsted exhibition stand

We’re on the final stretch of our journey around the country delivering our early years curriculum roadshows on the education inspection framework (EIF). Now seems a good time to look at how far we’ve come and where we’re going to …

How staff-to-child ratios work

An adult and two children play with wooden blocks and other toys

The Chancellor recently announced an optional change to childcare ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-old children. This change will apply from September 2023. All other staff-to-child ratios remain the same. While the Department for Education sets the ratios, we …

Ofsted's 2023 priorities for early years

Before looking ahead to what 2023 will hold for the early years sector, it's worth reflecting on the year that has just passed. Ofsted ended the year with the publication of our Annual Report, which provides an overview of what …