In May, we published a blog about the upcoming changes for childminders this autumn. The Department for Education is now bringing in these changes on 1 November 2024 to give the early years sector (in particular childminders) more flexibility. These …
Keeping children safe is paramount. That’s why we do everything we can to make sure that childcare provision is safe and secure, and that it meets the needs of children at all times. Ofsted has various powers to help us …
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 …
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 …
Once you have submitted your application to register with Ofsted, we will give you a call to discuss your application. At this stage we want to make sure everything you have included in your form is correct, to avoid any …
This blog was updated in August 2024 to reflect changes to the EYFS paragraph numbers. The Chancellor recently announced an optional change to childcare ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-old children. This change applies from September 2023. All other …
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 …
Being a right-touch regulator is one of our new strategic priorities. This means ensuring that our regulation promotes high-quality care, education, and safeguarding for children, while being proportionate in our approach and reducing any unnecessary bureaucracy or burden. We’re also …
This blog explains the difference is between registering with a childminder agency (CMA) or registered with Ofsted.
This blog explains what you need to do once you've decided to become an early years childminder and what you need to do to make sure you’re ready to be registered.