Introduction
The Childcare Act of 2006 introduces a Childcare Register with two parts - a compulsory and a voluntary part. The voluntary part of this register commenced in April 2007. People may choose to join the voluntary part of the register if they are caring for children:
- In the home of one of the children, for children aged from birth to 17 years
- Aged from birth to under eight in provision that is exempt from compulsory registration, such as sports coaching
The aims of registration
Through registering childcare providers Ofsted aims to:
- Protect children
- Make sure childcare providers meet the National Standards
- Make sure children and safe, well cared for and take part in activities that contribute to their development and learning
- Promote high quality in the provision of care and learning
- Provide reassurance for parents
What Ofsted does
Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) is responsible for the registration and inspection of daycare, out of school and childminders.
Ofsted Early Years Directorate is the department that deals with registration and inspection. It is not the same department that inspects schools. There are two childcare registers:
Compulsory childcare register
Any person rewarded (paid) for looking after children under eight for more than two hours a day must by law register with Ofsted. Suffolk County Council offers extensive help and support for childcare and early education providers both before and after they register.
Childcare
Those working in their own homes must register as childminders, while those working on non-domestic premises must register as daycare providers.
Early education
Ofsted also inspects the quality of free early education for three and four year-olds. The majority of early education providers are also registered childcare providers, so Ofsted inspects the childcare and early education at the same time.
Voluntary childcare register
The voluntary childcare register is mainly for people looking after children aged eight and over, or providing care in the child's home (such as nannies and home childcarers). By joining the voluntary part of the register, you show parents who use your services that you:
- Meet certain requirements relating to people, premises and provision designed to safeguard children
- Are monitored through inspections Ofsted carry out on a random basis or when parents tell us they have concerns about the care
If you want to apply to go on the voluntary register you must apply directly to Ofsted.
If you are not sure whether you need to register, you can ring Ofsted's helpline on 08456 404040 for more information
Registered childcare providers or those in the process of becoming registered should direct enquiries about registration to Ofsted:
Helpline: 08456 404040
Write to:
Ofsted Early Years Section
North Regional Centre
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann's Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
To find out how to register, how Ofsted inspect providers on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, and how you can make a complaint see the 'Read more' section on this page.