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Registering with Ofsted as a Childcare Setting
Topic: Ofsted Registration & Compliance Applies to: Childminders · Nurseries · Pre-schools Updated: 2025 Reading time: ~25 minutes

Registering with Ofsted is one of the most important steps you will take as a childcare professional. This guide walks you through exactly who needs to register, who is exempt, what the process involves, and what you must do to stay compliant after registration. Read this before you take a single paying minded child.

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📋 Do You Need to Register with Ofsted?

In England, the law requires most people who provide paid childcare to register with Ofsted. The rules are set out in the Childcare Act 2006 and its subsequent amendments. Whether you need to register depends on the age of the children, the number of hours you care for them, where the care takes place, and whether you receive payment.

The basic rule: If you are caring for children under 8 years old for payment, for 2 or more hours per day, you almost certainly need to be registered with Ofsted — unless you are a close relative or a nanny working solely in the child's own home.

Quick Decision Guide: Do I Need to Register?

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Am I being paid (or receiving any reward) for childcare?
  2. Am I caring for children who are not my own, or a close relative's, children?
  3. Are any of the children under 8 years old?
  4. Do I provide care for 2 or more hours per day?
  5. Do I care for children on premises other than the child's own home?

If you answered yes to questions 1–4, you very likely need to register. If you are a nanny working solely in the children's own home and caring for one family only, you are exempt — but you can register voluntarily to accept Tax-Free Childcare. Always check with Ofsted directly if you are unsure.

👤 Who CAN Register — and Who CANNOT

✓ Who Needs to Register

✗ Who is Legally Exempt

Important — Nannies: If you are a nanny working in the child's own home for one family only, you are exempt from mandatory registration. However, if you wish to accept Tax-Free Childcare payments or childcare vouchers on behalf of parents, you must register voluntarily on the Voluntary Part of the Childcare Register. Without this, parents paying you cannot use their government childcare entitlements.

📂 The Three Types of Ofsted Registration

Mandatory

Early Years Register (EYR)

For anyone providing early years childcare for children from birth to 31 August after their 5th birthday. Mandatory for all childminders and nurseries.

Mandatory

Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR)

For providers caring for children aged 5–7 for 2+ hours per day on 4+ days per year. Applies in addition to EYR for most childminders.

Voluntary

Voluntary Childcare Register (VCR)

For providers who want to register but don't have to — including nannies and providers caring for children over 8. Enables Tax-Free Childcare acceptance.

Most registered childminders will appear on both the Early Years Register and the Compulsory Childcare Register. Your registration certificate will confirm which registers you are on.

📋 Eligibility: Who Can Apply to Register

Before you apply, Ofsted will assess your suitability. To register as a childminder or childcare provider you must:

Qualifications: While there is no mandatory minimum qualification for childminder registration in England (as of 2025), Ofsted expects you to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and competence during your pre-registration inspection. Many childminders choose to complete a Level 3 childcare qualification (CACHE, BTEC, NVQ) which strengthens their application and professional credibility.

🔢 Step-by-Step: The Registration Process

The registration process has ten key stages. Work through them in order — you cannot submit your application until the DBS and First Aid requirements are met.

Step 1

Read the EYFS Statutory Framework

Download and read the full Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework from gov.uk. This is the legal document that governs everything you do as a registered early years provider. Ofsted's inspector will ask you questions about it during your pre-registration visit. It is free to download at gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework.

Pay particular attention to: the seven areas of learning, the three characteristics of effective learning, safeguarding and welfare requirements, and the key person approach.

Step 2

Complete Paediatric First Aid Training

You must hold a valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate before you register. This is a 12-hour course specifically for infants and children — it is different from a standard adult First Aid certificate and the two are not interchangeable.

Important: A standard First Aid at Work certificate does NOT meet the Paediatric First Aid requirement. Always check that the course is specifically for infants and children and is at least 12 hours.
Step 3

Apply for Your Enhanced DBS Check

You need an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with children's barred list check. This is the highest level of DBS check available. A Basic or Standard check is not sufficient for childcare registration.

All household members aged 16 and over living or working on your premises must also have an enhanced DBS check. This includes your partner, older children, lodgers, or anyone else regularly present when minded children are in your care. Apply for these at the same time as your own.
Step 4

Get Public Liability Insurance

You must hold Public Liability Insurance before you start caring for minded children. This protects you if a child in your care is injured or if a parent makes a claim against you. Standard home or car insurance does not cover childminding activities.

Step 5

Prepare Your Policies and Risk Assessments

Before your inspection, you must have written policies and procedures in place. The EYFS requires you to have policies covering:

Your PolicyAndPlay account gives you all of these as professionally written templates. Print them, customise them with your setting details, and have them ready in a folder for the inspector.

Step 6

Create Your Ofsted Online Account and Submit Your Application

Applications are made online through the Ofsted Portal at ofsted.gov.uk (look for "Register as a childminder or childcare provider").

Processing time: After submitting your application, Ofsted aims to complete registration within 12 weeks. In practice this can vary. Do not take on paying minded children until your registration is confirmed.
Step 7

The Suitability Check and Pre-Registration Inspection

After submitting your application, an Ofsted childcare inspector will contact you to arrange a pre-registration visit. The purpose of this visit is to assess your suitability and ensure your setting meets the requirements of the EYFS before you begin caring for children.

During the visit, the inspector will:

How to prepare: Lay out all your documents in a clear folder: DBS certificates, First Aid certificate, insurance certificate, policies folder, and any risk assessments. Be ready to talk confidently about safeguarding — what you would do if you had concerns about a child, who your Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is, and how you would record an incident.
Step 8

Await the Decision

After your pre-registration inspection, the inspector writes up their findings and submits a report to Ofsted. Ofsted then makes a decision on your application. You will receive a letter notifying you of the decision.

Step 9

Receive and Display Your Registration Certificate

Your Ofsted Registration Certificate is a legal document. It confirms:

You must display your registration certificate in a prominent position on your premises where parents can see it. You should also share your Ofsted registration number with parents — they may wish to look up your inspection record on the Ofsted website.

Step 10

Begin Caring for Children — and Your First Inspection

Once your certificate is received and displayed, you may begin caring for paying minded children. Congratulations! Ofsted will conduct your first full inspection at some point after registration — typically within the first year or two, but timing varies.

For your first inspection, you should be prepared to demonstrate:

📝 Documents and Requirements Checklist

Use this checklist to prepare for your application and pre-registration inspection:

Before You Apply

For Your Pre-Registration Inspection

📊 Child Ratios: How Many Children Can You Care For?

Your Ofsted Registration Certificate will specify the maximum number of children you can care for at any one time. The standard ratios for childminders in England are:

Age Group Maximum Number Notes
Under 1 year old 1 Includes your own children under 1
Under 5 years old (early years) 3 Includes the child under 1
Under 8 years old (total) 6 Includes all children under 8 in your care including your own
Your own children count: If you have children under 8 of your own at home during your childminding hours, they count toward your ratio — even though you are not being paid to care for them. Plan your capacity accordingly.
Flexibility: In some circumstances Ofsted may grant permission to exceed standard ratios — for example, to allow siblings to be cared for together without separating them, or in exceptional local circumstances. You must request this in writing from Ofsted before exceeding your certificate limits.

🔄 After Registration: Staying Compliant

Registration is not a one-off event. Once registered, you have ongoing legal obligations to Ofsted. Failure to comply can result in conditions being added to your registration, or registration being suspended or cancelled.

Changes You MUST Notify Ofsted About (within 14 days)

Ongoing Requirements

Join a professional association: PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) and NCMA (National Childminding Association) offer legal advice, insurance options, helplines, and resources specifically for registered childminders. Many childminders find membership invaluable — especially during inspections.

✅ Dos and Don'ts of Ofsted Registration

DO

DON'T

⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Starting before registration is confirmed

This is the most serious mistake a childminder can make. It is a criminal offence under the Childcare Act 2006 to provide childcare for reward without being registered. Wait for your certificate — no matter how eager you are to start, or how much financial pressure you are under.

Mistake 2: Getting the wrong type of DBS

Only an Enhanced DBS check with the children's barred list check satisfies the registration requirement. If you or a household member obtains a Basic or Standard DBS, Ofsted will not accept it and you will need to apply again.

Mistake 3: Forgetting household members

Many applicants apply for their own DBS but forget that every person aged 16+ in their household also needs one. If an inspector discovers an unchecked adult in your home, your registration can be refused or withdrawn.

Mistake 4: Not having policies ready for the inspection

Inspectors expect to see a full set of written policies at the pre-registration visit. "I'm working on them" is not acceptable. Use your PolicyAndPlay templates to have a complete, professional policies folder ready before the visit.

Mistake 5: Exceeding ratio limits

Your registration certificate specifies exactly how many children you can care for at any one time. Exceeding this — even briefly, even for family emergencies — puts your registration at risk. If you need a different arrangement, contact Ofsted first.

Mistake 6: Failing to notify changes

Ofsted must be informed within 14 days of any significant change — a new person in the house, a change of address, a caution, a serious incident. Many childminders lose their registration not because of childcare failures but because they forgot to notify a routine change. Set a reminder system.

🔗 Useful Contacts and Resources

Resource What It's For Where to Find It
Ofsted Portal Submit your registration application ofsted.gov.uk → Register as a provider
EYFS Statutory Framework The legal framework for early years childcare gov.uk/government/publications/eyfs-framework
DBS Check Application Enhanced DBS for childcare registration gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-guidance
PACEY Professional association: insurance, helpline, CPD pacey.org.uk
NCMA / Childminding UK National childminding association resources childminding.org
Local Family Information Service Local support, funding information, pre-registration advice Search "[your county] Family Information Service"
Tax-Free Childcare Government childcare support for parents gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
PolicyAndPlay tip: Your registration is just the beginning. Use your PolicyAndPlay templates to build a professional policies folder before your inspection, keep them updated as regulations change, and use the activity plans to demonstrate your EYFS planning from day one. Having a PolicyAndPlay dashboard means your compliance materials are always current.

📚 Sources and Official References

This guide has been compiled from the following official UK Government and regulatory sources. All information was accurate at the time of publication. Regulation and fee structures are subject to change — always verify current requirements at the official sources listed below.

Source What It Covers Where to Find It
Childcare Act 2006 (as amended) Legal basis for mandatory registration requirements in England legislation.gov.uk
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework 2024 Learning and development requirements; safeguarding and welfare requirements gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework
Ofsted — Childminder registration guidance Application process, suitability checks, registration types ofsted.gov.uk → Register as a childminder or childcare provider
Ofsted — Childcare Register guidance Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare Register requirements gov.uk/guidance/childcare-register-childminders-and-childcare-providers
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) — Enhanced Check Guidance DBS check types, application process, children's barred list gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
NHS — Paediatric First Aid (Health Education England) First aid training standards for early years settings nhs.uk / Health Education England guidance
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) — Guidance on infection control in schools and childcare settings Exclusion periods, notifiable diseases ukhsa.gov.uk
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) Safeguarding roles and responsibilities including LADO gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children
Disclaimer — Important: This guide is produced by PolicyAndPlay for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, regulations and fee structures are subject to change. You must verify all current requirements directly with Ofsted and your relevant regulatory body before making registration decisions. PolicyAndPlay accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or regulatory consequence arising from reliance on this guide. Always consult Ofsted's official guidance and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.