1. Pre-registration briefing for those wishing to become childcare providers
Welcome participants. Introduce yourself and briefly explain your role.
The purpose of the briefing is to:
give some background information about Ofsted, the government department responsible for registering and inspecting childcare providers
explain the process for applying to register as a childcare provider on the Early Years Register
explain the process for applying to register as a childcare provider on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.
Reassure participants that this is an introductory session and that they will receive further help, support and training from their local authority.
Tell participants that they can ask questions as they arise and that you will be available at the end of the briefing to answer any individual queries.
October 2015

2. Ofsted’s role Register applicants
Inspect childcare providers regularly after registration
Consider any information about childcare providers that suggest they may not be meeting requirements for registration
Take enforcement action when necessary
Ofsted is the government body responsible for the registration and inspection of childcare provision. Ofsted’s legal powers are set out in the Childcare Act A rigorous process for registration is important, because this opens the gateway to the provision of childcare and gives the best protection for children and reassurance to parents.
Inspecting registered childcare providers contributes to improving the quality of childcare and early education, by making judgements about the quality of the care that settings offer, and recommendations about how to improve this. Childcare providers must provide evidence of their continued suitability and show how they meet requirements at inspection. Providers who fail to meet or fully meet the specific requirements at inspection are given actions to improve. Where there are serious concerns, Ofsted takes other enforcement action to bring about improvement.
Ofsted often receives information from parents and others about the childcare provision. To ensure that registered providers continue to remain suitable for registration, Ofsted may carry out an inspection, refer the information back to the childcare provider or investigate the matter. Ofsted also has a range of enforcement powers to take action against providers who fail to comply with requirements of registration. These powers include, in extreme cases, prosecution and refusal, suspension or cancellation of registration.
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3. Ofsted’s aims Ofsted’s aims through regulation are to:
protect children
ensure that childcare providers provide good outcomes for children
ensure that childcare providers meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register
promote high quality in the provision of care and early education
provide reassurance for parents.
Ofsted’s aims in registering childcare provision are primarily to make sure that children are safe, well cared for and that they make good progress in their learning and development. The government set out a number of requirements that all those who offer services for children must provide. These are set out in Early Years Foundation Stage for younger children up to the age of five, and the requirements of the Childcare Register for children aged five and over. We will look at these in more detail later.
Inspection is one way in which Ofsted contributes to improving the quality of care and early education, by judging the quality of what a childcare provider offers and how to improve it.
Regulation gives parents reassurance that they are placing their children with adults who are suitable to do the important job of caring for their children.
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4. The role of the local authority
This is to provide:
information to applicants and registered childcare providers
support and advice
training for childcare workers
information to parents about childcare services.
Those applying to provide childcare and registered providers can get information, advice and opportunities for training from their local authority.
Include details of how this local authority delivers these services, including the role of the Family Information Service (FIS) in giving information to parents.
Ofsted gives information about registered providers to local authorities so that they can support providers through information and training.
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5. Where you need to register
You will need to register on:
the Early Years Register if you intend to care for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday
the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if you intend to care for children aged five to seven years.
You can choose to register on:
the voluntary part of the Childcare Register if you intend to care for children aged between eight and 17 years.
Registration is compulsory for most childcare providers looking after children aged
from birth to seven years, unless what they offer is exempt from registration. Most
commonly this is because it is offered only for short periods. Explain that you will
cover exemptions in a few minutes.
If you intend to care for children across the whole of this age range, you must apply
to register on both registers.
If you only intend to care for children aged five to seven years, you only
need to register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.
If you only intend to care for children aged eight and over, you have the option of
registering on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. You can also apply at the
same time and in one application to register on the Early Years Register and on both
parts of the Childcare Register, in which case only one registration fee is payable. If
you wish to do this when applying to join the Early Years Register, you can tick the
box on the application form
Explain that you will cover fees later in the session.
Childcare provision on the Early Years Register is likely to include day
nurseries, children’s centres, playgroups, four or more childminders or assistants
working together at the same time on the same premises and some out of school
clubs.
On the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, it is likely to cover out
of school clubs. On the voluntary part, it may cover out of school clubs caring for
children aged eight and over, and activity-based clubs that do not require registration
such as dance classes.
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6. Categories of childcare providers from September 2008
Childminding
Individuals looking after children on domestic premises, which is not the home of any of the children being cared for.
Home childcarer
Individuals caring for children of no more than two families at the home of one of the children.
Childcare on domestic premises
Four or more people looking after children on domestic premises, including childminders and their assistants.
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Childcare on premises that are not domestic premises, such as nurseries or pre-schools.
This briefing is about those who want to provide childcare, not
childminding. There is a separate briefing for childminders.
Childcare on non-domestic premises operates from any premises that
are not someone’s home, ranging from open air provision to purpose
built nurseries; converted houses to community centres.
Childcare on domestic premises is covered on the next slide.
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7. What is childcare on domestic premises?
Childcare on domestic premises is determined by the number of people either providing childcare or looking after children or a combination of both.
Childcare on domestic premises is four or more people providing care or looking after children in someone else’s home.
They must also meet the specific legal requirements that relate to childcare, rather than childminding.
This is where four or more adults look after children in someone else’s home
at the same time. It includes people who would be childminders, but for
this requirement and anyone who works with them or for them, such as
assistants.
These must meet the specific legal requirements that relate to childcare,
as opposed to childminding. This means that if you offer this sort of care
you must appoint a suitable manager who holds at least a full and relevant
level 3 qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold at least a
full and relevant level 2 qualification.
If you wish to provide childcare on domestic premises, you should check
the safeguarding and welfare requirements in the Statutory framework for
the Early Years Foundation Stage and the requirements for the Childcare
Register to make sure you follow those for early or later years providers
and not for childminders.
Ofsted will need to check all household members, and everyone working in
the house including those working directly with children if you want to offer
this type of care.
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8. When do you not need to register?
You do not need to register if you intend to:
care for individual children for two hours or less per day
operate for 14 days or fewer in any year
care for a friend’s children on domestic premises for reward, but only for three hours or less per day
care for children for four hours or less per day for the convenience of the parents who remain on or very close to the premises and where there is no long-term commitment to clients; for example some crèches
provide an open access scheme
offer childcare in a hotel, guest house or similar, between the hours of 6pm and 2am.
Run through the list of exemptions from registration on the next three
slides.
People do not need to register if they intend to offer childcare on a
particular premises for less than 14 days in any 12-month period.
However, they must notify Ofsted in writing at least 14 days before
they start caring for children.
Where childcare is provided for a friend’s child or children on domestic
premises, and where you either do not take payment at all, or take
Payment, but the care only lasts for three hours or less per day, then
you do not need to register.
Open access schemes are facilities where children can come and go
without an adult. They include adventure playgrounds and playrooms.
Early years children cannot attend open access schemes.
Hotels and similar establishments do not need to register, as long as
the provision:
only takes place between 6pm and 2am
is for children of clients
is for no more than two different clients at the same time.
This exemption is intended to cover babysitting arrangements.
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9. When do you not need to register?
provide home education
provide no more than two types of the following activities for children aged three plus:
school study or homework support
performing arts
arts and crafts
sport
religious, cultural or language study.
Explain that some provision is eligible for registration on the voluntary
part of the Childcare Register. This includes activity-based provision,
which does not require compulsory registration under the Childcare Act
2006. Tell participants that you will provide more detail about this later
in the briefing.
and any care is incidental to the activities.
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10. When do you not need to register?
You do not need to register if you provide childcare at the following, as an integral part of the establishment’s activities:
children’s home
care home
hospital, where the children are looked after as patients
residential family centre
young offender institution or secure training centre
residential holiday scheme for disabled children.
Children’s homes and residential family centres do not have to register with Ofsted to provide childcare but they do have to register to provide residential care.
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11. The registered person
The registration system uses the term ‘registered person’.
This covers both individuals and organisations such as companies, partnerships and committees.
This term ‘registered person’ applies to individuals and organisations such as companies or committees. For example, the management committee of a playgroup, a local authority or a board of directors could be a registered person.
Application requirements do vary according to the type of organisation making the application. The Guide to registration sets out the main categories of organisations that provide day care, and identifies:
who makes and signs the application
who will be checked as part of the registration process
who will be named on the certificate of registration.
Where the registered person is an organisation, Ofsted requires that someone is nominated – normally a director, committee member, partner etc. – to represent the organisation in dealings with Ofsted. This person will be interviewed on behalf of the organisation, as part of the registration process.
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12. The registered person
has overall responsibility for the provision and is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements and regulations.
must have a manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day organisation of the childcare.
The registered person has overall responsibility for the provision of childcare. They are legally responsible for ensuring that the provision meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and/or Childcare Register. They must also ensure compliance with regulations, and any conditions imposed by Ofsted. Ofsted will send all legal documents to the registered person.
Tell them that we will talk about the role of the registered person in the registration process later in the presentation.
Registered persons do not have to work with the children. If they do not have the necessary skills or experience in childcare, they must appoint a suitably qualified manager to take responsibility for the day- to-day management of the setting.
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13. Early Year Register Registration on the Early Years Register
Explain that in this part of the briefing, you will talk about compulsory
registration on the Early Years Register, under the Childcare Act 2006.
All providers on the Early Years Register are required to deliver and meet the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Remind participants that they will need to apply for registration on the Early Years Register if they intend to care for children aged from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday, unless the type of care they intend to provide is exempt from registration.
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14. The Early Years Foundation Stage
promotes teaching and learning to help prepare young children for school through setting standards that all providers must meet
places a duty on providers to comply with safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements.
is mandatory for all schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers, who care for children aged from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday.
The overarching aim of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is to
ensure children are in an environment that helps children learn and
develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
All childcare providers on the Early Years Register must by law meet the
safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements,
which can be found in the Statutory framework for the Early Years
Foundation Stage.
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15. Safeguarding and welfare requirements
These cover:
child protection
suitable people
staff qualifications, training, support and skills
key person
staff:child ratios
health
managing behaviour
safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment
special educational needs
Information and records
Remind applicants that the requirements are set out in specific legal requirements. Providers must comply with all legal requirements.
Child protection covers the steps providers must take to safeguard children’s welfare. This includes having a policy and procedure in line with the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Suitable people covers: the steps taken to ensure that adults looking after children, or having
unsupervised access to them, are suitable to do so.
Staff qualification, training, support and skills covers the arrangements providers must put in place
to ensure that anyone caring for children (including themselves) have appropriate training and professional development opportunities. For childminders, this includes pre-registration training in the Early Years Foundation Stage and paediatric first aid.
Key person covers the relationship that children make with adults caring for them. For childminders the
key person may be an assistant.
Staff:child ratios covers the total number of staff a childcare provider can have to work directly with children and explains the exceptions to these in certain circumstances.
Health covers the policy and procedure for children with infectious diseases and the administration of
Medicines.
Managing behaviour covers providers’ responsibility for managing children’s behaviour in an appropriate way, and making corporal punishment to a child an offence.
Safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment covers the safety and suitability of
outdoor (including outings) and indoor spaces, furniture, equipment and toys, provides the space
requirements and requires a policy and procedure about the management of risk.
Special educational needs covers the arrangements providers, including maintained nursery schools, must put in place to support children with SEN or disabilities.
Information and records covers the type of information providers must share with parents and carers,
other professionals, the police, social services and Ofsted. Childminders must keep a record of any
complaints received and their outcome. It also requires providers to tell Ofsted about certain things.
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16. Learning and development requirements
These cover:
the early learning goals – knowledge, skills and understanding that young children should achieve by the end of the Reception year in which they reach the age of five
the educational programmes – matters, skills and processes that are required to be taught to young children
the assessment arrangements – arrangements for assessing young children to ascertain their achievements.
All early years providers must by law meet the learning and development requirements.
There is no longer a requirement for providers to deliver the learning and development requirements for out-of-hours care for children attending Reception class.
The Early Years Foundation Stage promotes teaching and learning through a play-based
framework. Childcare providers must provide children with a broad range of knowledge
and skills through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The early learning
goals cover seven areas separated into three prime areas and four specific areas.
The prime areas are:
communication and language
physical development
personal, social and emotional development.
The specific areas are:
literacy
mathematics
understanding the world
expressive arts and design.
You must carry out a progress check on each child between the ages of two and
three if you are the child’s main practitioner. You should carry out on-going sensitive
observational assessments of children and use this information to help them make
progress in their learning. Observations of children taking part in every day activities
are the most appropriate.
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17. How do I apply to register?
You can apply online through the Ofsted Online website
You need a copy of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Tell participants that if they only wish to register on the compulsory and/or voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, the process that you are about to cover is not applicable to them. You will cover this later in the presentation.
It is important that you familiarise yourself with the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At the time of the registration visit, you must demonstrate to the inspector how you intend to meet the legal requirements. This includes how you will plan and provide activities that are appropriate to each child’s stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals.
Ofsted operates an online only method of application. This link (below) will take you to the page where you can begin the application process. You should first read the Guide to registration, which gives information about the whole registration process. You should be able to find all the necessary details about the process in the booklet.
If you require any guidance regarding the application process please refer to the Ofsted website in the first instance. If you are still unsure, then you may contact Ofsted on
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18. How does Ofsted register applicants?
Carries out checks on and interviews applicants to make sure they are suitable for registration
Visits the applicant to check their understanding of the requirements of registration, including how to assess any risks to children and how to help children make progress in their learning and development
Visits the premises to assess their suitability for providing childcare, including access to an outdoor area for daily outdoor play
Ofsted carries out a series of checks on all people making up the registered person, and for childcare on domestic premises, anyone who works directly with children or lives and works on the premises.
The registered person for childcare on non-domestic premises is responsible for deciding on the suitability of employees, including their manager and those who live or work on the childcare premises. Explain that you will talk more about this later in the briefing. The exception to this is childcare on domestic premises, in which case Ofsted will check household members.
Certain matters disqualify a person from registering. These include offences involving children, some offences against adults, being on the list of individuals barred from working with children held by the Disclosure and Barring Service, orders removing children from your care, previously refused or cancelled registrations, or that you live with someone who is disqualified. If you are disqualified but can explain why you believe your disqualification should be lifted, you may apply to Ofsted to have your disqualification waived. Ofsted cannot waive your disqualification if you are on the list of persons barred from working with children, held by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Other matters may bring into doubt a person’s suitability, for example, information from local authority children’s services departments or about a person’s health. Reassure participants that past offences or health problems do not necessarily prevent them from being registered. Each case is considered individually. Where Ofsted has concerns, individuals are normally interviewed. If Ofsted refuses registration because you or someone connected with your application, or your premises are not suitable, you have rights of objection and appeal against the decision.
During the visit, the inspector will discuss any issues with you from the results of any checks. You will be expected to take steps to make sure that you and anyone you employ or that live or work on the premises are suitable.
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19. What must I do to register?
You must:
be familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage before applying
complete an EY0 application form
complete an EY2 suitability declaration and consent to checks form; this must also be completed by:
anyone else who is involved in the application
Make sure all participants know how to access the online application, the Early Years Foundation Stage and the guidance.
As said earlier, you should not apply unless you believe you can deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. You may withdraw your application at any time in the process, unless Ofsted has already issued a notice of intention to refuse registration.
The registration process takes some time to complete. Ofsted aims to process childcare applications within 25 weeks.
The application form asks for details about you and other people making up the registered person, and the premises where you want to provide day care. It also asks for details of how you intend to organise your childcare. When completing your application form, you should ensure that you correctly identify what type of organisation you are (where appropriate), for example, a partnership or committee.
You will also need to arrange for each person who makes up the registered person to complete a declaration and consent form, unless they have already carried one out for Ofsted. This form asks for consent to carry out a series of checks. It also asks for a self-declaration about criminal records and other matters of suitability.
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20. What must I do to register?
You must:
complete a Health declaration booklet and take it to your GP if you intend to work with children
submit your online application forms.
The health declaration booklet must be completed by the applicant where they intend to manage the provision or work directly with children.
Stress that where the registered person is a company, committee or another organisation only those people who are part of the registered person who will be working with children as part of the adult:child ratio need to complete a health declaration.
This form asks for details about your past and current health. You only need to complete Part 1 of the booklet, and then take the booklet to your GP. He or she will complete Part 2 and send the form back to Ofsted in the envelope provided.
The GP may charge a fee for completing the form. You must pay the fee directly to your GP. It is important to fill in the application form and health declaration booklet as accurately and fully as possible. Failure to declare important information may lead to delays in registration, refusal of registration, or in rare cases prosecution as it is an offence to give false or misleading information in an application.
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21. What must I do to register?
After you have completed and returned your application, you must complete an EY3 form and send it to Ofsted when there are changes to the manager or registered person.
Each person connected with your registration must complete and submit an online EY2 (declaration and consent form).
When you make your application for registration, you may not have appointed your manager, or know all those who may be connected with your registration. You should use the EY3 form to inform Ofsted of any changes to the registered person (for organisations) or manager. These people may also need to complete EY2 forms.
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22. What happens next? Ofsted will:
acknowledge receipt of your application form
tell you how to pay your application fee
You must complete each stage of the application fully in order to continue to the next stage of the process. You can call Ofsted’s helpline ( ) if you need assistance.
Ofsted will only accept DBS disclosure notices obtained via another organisation if it is an enhanced level check, the position applied for states ‘child workforce’ and the individual has also registered with the update service. Furthermore, if an individual is applying for a role that involves being at their home address, Ofsted will only accept their DBS check if it has been obtained for a home-based role. Ofsted’s decision on portability only applies to those individuals and organisations for whom Ofsted makes the suitability decision; it does not apply to other people working in settings, where the employer has decided whether or not to allow portability.
Ofsted carries out checks on people connected with the registration set out in the Guide to registration. It does not carry out checks on other staff members unless they live or work on childcare on domestic premises.
You must pay a fee to apply for registration, which is set by law. Explain that you will come to this shortly.
Before the visit, the inspector will telephone you to confirm the date of the visit and make sure you have all the necessary documents to hand as set out in the EYFS. Ofsted also produced a booklet , Early Years Register: Preparing for your registration visit (ref ), to help you .
By the time the registration visit is arranged, the applicant must be ready for registration. If the applicant is not ready for registration at the time of the visit, the inspector must consider refusing registration. In rare cases, having considered all the information and evidence available, the regulatory decision-maker may decide that a further visit is necessary.
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23. DBS checks
You must:
make sure each person connected with your application completes a Disclosure and Barring Service application form via before submitting their application
make sure that each person arranges to have their identity documents checked, as set out in the guidance on Capita’s website
each person connected with your application must have received their completed DBS check before applying to Ofsted. You can’t apply without a DBS check.
This slide relates only to the DBS checks that Ofsted carries out. The next slide relates to checks the applicant or registered provider must complete on their staff.
The check on a person’s criminal record is done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) via Capita. All DBS checks are processed online through the Capita website (
Ofsted strongly recommends that applicants applying for a DBS check via the link also sign up to the DBS update service. This update service enables employers to check a certificate online and also lets applicants keep their DBS history up to date online. They can do this at the point of application or sign up within 30 days of the certificate date. Each person who does not have a disclosure must complete a DBS check.
Childcare providers must pay for their DBS checks, which the government currently sets at £44. In addition, Capita will charge a handling fee for the application. This cost will vary depending on how the applicant chooses to apply – full details are available on the Capita website (
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24. Suitability of staff and other persons on the premises
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Ofsted does not carry out checks on staff members, including the manager.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all staff members, and other people living or working on the premises, are suitable to work with children.
Childcare on domestic premises
Ofsted will carry out checks on everyone who lives or works on the childcare premises
It is your responsibility to ensure that anyone who lives or works on the childcare premises are suitable to work or be in contact with children
For those whom you check, you may decide whether or not you accept an existing check - Ofsted cannot make that decision for you. If you do allow portability, then during inspection Ofsted will expect to see how you are meeting the Disclosure and Barring Service's guidance on portability.
The Disclosure and Barring Service’s guidance on assessing risk is that employers ask themselves some specific questions before accepting an existing DBS disclosure. For more information on portability you will need to go to the DBS website.
You may choose to ask your staff to join the DBS’s online update service; this is a matter for you to decide.
There are differences in the way Ofsted processes checks on staff, and anyone else who lives or works on the premises where the childcare takes place depending on whether you offer childcare on domestic or non-domestic premises, but the responsibility for overall suitability rests with the registered person.
For childcare on non-domestic premises: the registered person is responsible for carrying out all checks on staff and anyone else who lives or work on the premises.
All people aged 16 and over, living or working in households where childcare on domestic premises is provided, must be suitable to be in regular contact with children. Ofsted is responsible for carrying out the necessary checks and making the suitability decision.
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25. Suitability of staff and other persons on the premises
You must ensure that you have robust recruitment and vetting procedures in place.
At the time of the registration visit and, where applicable, the inspector may ask you to provide evidence that you are carrying out full checks on all staff; for example, enhanced DBS disclosures, references and qualifications.
You must have rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures in place, to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. When making a decision about whether a member of staff is suitable or not, you must carry out any necessary checks that will provide you with enough information to make an informed decision about employment.
You must arrange for a check to be carried out against police records and the relevant lists held by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Ofsted will tell you how to obtain these checks. If you think that someone you are considering employing has a conviction that may disqualify them from working with children, you can discuss this with Ofsted’s helpline or ask the individual to do so. It is an offence to employ anyone you know to be disqualified unless Ofsted has waived the disqualification.
During the registration visit, the inspector will talk to you about your recruitment and vetting procedures. It is your responsibility to provide evidence to the inspector that you have understood the requirements and carry out robust recruitment procedures. You may want to provide enhanced DBS disclosures, references, full employment histories, qualifications, details of medical suitability and notes from interviews as evidence.
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26. The registration visit
The inspector will:
check your understanding of the requirements of the early Years Foundation Stage – this might include qualifications and policies
look at how you have organised your provision in line with those requirements
assess your suitability to provide childcare and early education, through an interview.
The inspector will telephone you first to arrange a time and to go through any documents you will need to have to hand during the visit.
You must demonstrate to the inspector how you intend to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). It is up to you to show the inspector that you have sufficient knowledge to care for children and help them to learn by following the requirements set out in the EYFS. Ofsted will refuse registration at this stage if you cannot demonstrate how you will meet the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements. The inspector will go through the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements and ask you questions about how you intend to meet them.
The inspector may want to see all the parts of the premises that you intend to use for childcare, and will look at how you have ensured they are safe and suitable for children.
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27. The registration visit
The inspector will check:
your identity
your understanding of the number and ages of children you may care for
other relevant documents, such as qualifications and first aid certificates.
In order to check your identity the inspector will need to see:
ID documents including photographic identification, such as a passport and evidence confirming your current address
evidence of change of name (if applicable), for example, a marriage certificate
any relevant qualifications (if you intend to work with the children).
The inspector will look at the numbers of children that you intend to care for. The maximum numbers and ages of children you can care for are set out in sections 3.28 to 3.40 in the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Your decision will be based on a number of factors, including available space, the organisation of the premises, the ages and needs of the children you intend to care for and the number of staff you intend to employ.
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28. After the visit Ofsted confirms:
whether you are suitable to be registered
whether there needs to be any conditions or restrictions placed on your registration
whether you and others connected with your application are suitable to work or be in regular contact with children.
Ofsted will not normally impose any conditions on your certificate at the point of registration. If, however, there are particular circumstances that warrant a condition being placed on your certificate the inspector will discuss this with you at the end of the visit.
Ofsted continues the checking process until it is satisfied that all people connected with a registration are suitable to work or be in contact with children.
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29. After the visit
When all checks are complete, Ofsted will send you either:
a letter granting registration and your registration certificate setting out any conditions of registration or
a notice of intention to refuse registration.
When all checks are complete, Ofsted either grants registration or sends a notice of intention to refuse registration.
If registration is refused, you will be sent details of how to object to Ofsted’s intention to refuse, and your rights of appeal.
The certificate is the final stage in the registration process. You cannot operate as a day-care provider until you receive the certificate. It sets out any conditions that apply to your registration. All registered childcare providers must comply with the conditions at all times. It is an offence not to do so.
You must display the certificate of registration and show it to parents on request.
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30. Who else might I need to contact?
You may wish to contact:
your local authority for advice and support throughout the registration process
your local authority environmental health department to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and other legislation.
Run through the other agencies that applicants may need to contact before registration. Inform them that they will need to meet any recommendations that are raised.
Your local authority will provide you with advice and support throughout the registration process. It will also make available appropriate training, such as first aid training, although your first-aid training does not need to be approved by the local authority and you can undertake another course as long as it covers the appropriate content, as set out in the EYFS.
It is important to ensure that your health and safety procedures comply with local environmental health department guidance and regulations; for example, with regard to food handling. Your local environmental health department will advise you of their requirements.
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31. Who else might I need to contact?
You may wish to contact:
your local fire safety officer to make sure you comply with fire safety regulations
your local planning authority to make sure you have planning permission for childcare
your local building control department, with regard to building work undertaken.
Applicants must comply with the requirements of their local authority environmental health department and local fire authority. Fire authorities will not routinely check all premises where a childcare application has been made. Ofsted will inform the relevant fire authority of a proposed registration in a new building or where there is a significant change of use of premises. The fire authority will then decide if it wishes to inspect the premises and will advise Ofsted of any proposed enforcement action. The protocol with fire authorities does not require Ofsted to wait until there is a fire safety inspection before granting registration unless the inspector has concerns about fire safety.
You may need planning permission, for example, if there is a change of use of the premises that you intend to use for childcare. You can seek advice from your local planning department. You must ensure that you obtain planning permission, if it is required.
You may need to contact the local authority building control department about certain types of building work. They will need to be satisfied that the work has been carried out to the required standard.
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32. After registration
Ofsted will inspect at regular intervals and publish your report on its website.
You must pay an annual fee to remain registered.
publish your name, address and telephone number on its website, with your consent (if you are a provider of childcare on domestic premises)
If you are on the Early Years Register, you will be inspected within 30 months of your registration, and subsequently at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July 2016.
After this first inspection, Ofsted will inspect at least once in every three/four year period. Ofsted inspects more frequently in certain circumstances, for example, as a result of concerns raised with Ofsted by parents. After each inspection, Ofsted publishes the report on its website. Ofsted also publishes any conditions of registration for each provider on its website.
As part of its inspection process, Ofsted asks providers to complete a self-evaluation form. This is not compulsory, but it is a very useful tool to help providers review and improve their provision, so that it is of the highest standard and offers the best experience for young children.
Explain that the following information is applicants wishing to apply to provide ‘childcare on domestic premises’:
Childcare providers on domestic premises (and childminders) can choose if they want their details to be published on the website. For childcare providers on non-domestic premises, there is a part on the application form (EYO) that will ask the applicant if they require anonymity because, for example, the provision is at a women’s refuge or on a military base, which the Ministry of Defence has asked Ofsted not to disclose.
If you do not do so at the point of applying you may choose to do so at any time by completing a short consent form, which you can do online or post back to Ofsted. All the details on how to do this and a short Q&A are available on the Ofsted website. You may also withdraw your consent at any time.
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33. Fees to register on the Early Years Register from September 2009
£35 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for less than three hours per day
£35 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for three or more hours per day, but less than five days per week and/or less than 45 weeks per year
£220 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for three or more hours per day and for five or more days per week and 45 or more weeks per year
Ofsted will not consider your application as complete until you have paid the registration fee. Information on fees and how to pay it is part of the online process. The fee is not refundable if you withdraw your application, or if registration is refused..
Stress that applicants should pay the fee as soon as
possible, as an application is not considered as complete until Ofsted has
received the fee.
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34. Annual fees to remain on the Early Years Register from September 2009
£35 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for less than three hours per day
£35 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for three or more hours per day, but less than five days per week and/or less than 45 weeks per year
£220 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises operating for three or more hours per day and for five or more days per week and 45 or more weeks per year
Explain that where providers are registered on both the Early Years
Register and, one or both parts of the Childcare Register, the fees for
registration on the Early Years Register will apply and they will not be
expected to pay an additional fee for registration on the Childcare Register.
Emphasise the importance of paying the annual fee, as Ofsted will cancel
the registration of anyone who does not pay the fee when it is due.
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35. Methods to pay your fee
You must pay an annual fee to remain registered. You can pay your fee by any of the following methods:
Ofsted Online
Automated payment line
Direct Debit
bank giro
transcash
post
home and online banking
Inform that Ofsted will provide applicants with full details of payment methods.
For payment via Ofsted Online ( applicants will need their invoice and security token (OST) found on the invoice – this is the only option if a receipt is required.
For automated payment line ( ), applicants will need their invoice number and URN.
For the Direct Debit method – this cannot be set up until after you have registered.
Although we recommend using either of the above payment methods, we also accept the other listed methods, in which you must quote your Ofsted Reference number.
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36. The Childcare Register
The compulsory and voluntary
parts of the Childcare Register
Explain that you will now talk about registration on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.
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37. The compulsory part of the Childcare Register
You must register on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if you intend to care for children from 1 September following their fifth birthday to seven years.
Remind participants that they must apply to register on the Childcare
Register if they intend to care for children from 1 September following
their fifth birthday to seven years of age, unless they are exempt from
registration.
Remind participants that exemptions were covered at the
beginning of the briefing and refer back to these slides if necessary.
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38. The voluntary part of the Childcare Register
You have the choice of registering on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register if:
you intend to care for one or more children aged from eight to 17, wholly or mainly on premises other than their own home, for a continuous period of at least two hours in any one day or for a period of less than two hours where the childcare provided as part of arrangements that start or end before or after normal school hours
The voluntary part of the Childcare Register offers the choice of
registration to providers who are not eligible for compulsory registration.
These may be people looking after children aged eight and over, for
example, for sports coaching or dance classes. or
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39. The voluntary part of the Childcare Register
you intend to provide care such as activity-based provision for children aged under eight, which does not require compulsory registration under the Childcare Act 2006, for a period of two hours or more in any one day or for a period of less than two hours where the childcare provided is part of arrangements that start or end before or after normal school hours.
Remind participants that they are not eligible for voluntary registration if they provide care in an appropriate children’s home, in a care home, for children who are patients in a hospital or in a residential family centre as it is not considered childcare under the Childcare Act However, children’s homes and residential family centres must register with Ofsted to provide residential care.
By joining the voluntary part of the register, providers show parents who use their services that they:
meet certain requirements relating to people, premises and provision designed to safeguard children
are monitored through inspections carried out by Ofsted on a random basis or when parents have concerns about the care.
Parents who use registered childcarers may be eligible to claim the childcare element of working tax credits.
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40. How do I apply to register?
You can apply on the compulsory and/or voluntary part of the Childcare Register:
through the Ofsted Online website (
by completing an online application form.
Explain that the process for joining either register is the same.
Run through the different ways of making an application. Emphasise that applications can only be made online.
Stress that participants do not need to make a separate application if they apply to be on the Early Years Register.
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41. How do I apply to register?
You need to:
pay an application fee
complete a declaration, confirming that you will meet all requirements of the register when you start to care for children
produce a valid first aid certificate
Explain that you will cover fees for the registration on the Childcare Register only at the end of this part of the briefing.
Ofsted will not register a person until it has obtained DBS checks on the person applying for registration and any other person who requires a DBS check because of their association, for example a member of the childminder’s household, or a member of the committee running a playgroup. Ofsted will also not register a person unless they have joined the DBS update service. These are done as part of the online process..
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42. What happens next?
Ofsted will not carry out a registration visit but may carry out any additional checks and interviews needed to establish suitability if there are concerns arising from the DBS disclosure.
Ofsted sends out the certificate of registration once the process is complete.
Ofsted will not normally carry out an inspection before granting your application for registration. It will assess your suitability by considering the information on your application form and your DBS disclosure. It may be necessary in some circumstances to interview you or carry out further checks. If an applicant has lived outside the United Kingdom in the past five years, Ofsted requires additional checks – the most common being a certificate of good conduct. This is to establish that there were no concerns raised about them in the country or countries in which they had lived.
When the registration process is complete, Ofsted will issue a certificate. This is your proof that you are registered on the compulsory and/or voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.
Once you are registered you must continue to meet the requirements relating to people, premises and provision that you confirmed on your application form. You can access these requirements from the Ofsted website.
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43. After registration
Ofsted will inspect if a parent or other person has concerns about your childcare provision. Ofsted will also select some providers at random for an inspection.
You will not receive a report for these inspections. Instead Ofsted will send you a letter informing you whether your provision meets requirements.
Once you are registered, Ofsted may inspect you at any time while your registration is current. Ofsted will inspect a selection of all those on the Childcare Register, and will always inspect if it receives a concern about your childcare provision that relates to the requirements of registration or any conditions imposed on your registration. If you are also registered on the Early Years Register, Ofsted will check that you are complying with the requirements of the Childcare Register when it carries out your Early Years Foundation Stage inspection.
Ofsted will inspect with little or no notice and you should be ready for inspection at all times by meeting the requirements which govern continued registration. An inspector may visit your provision to check compliance against the requirements and will give you feedback on the outcome of the inspection. If you have not met one or more of the requirements, the inspector will tell you what needs to be put right and will explain what happens next.
Following any inspection you will either receive a letter confirming that you were meeting your requirements for registration or a letter detailing what must done in order to remain registered. Whatever the outcome, this letter will be published on Ofsted’s website. However, if you are also on the Early Years Register, your inspection report will confirm whether you are meeting the requirements of the Childcare Register.
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44. Childcare Register fees
For providers of childcare on non-domestic or domestic premises there is a:
£114 fee to register on the compulsory and/or voluntary parts
£114 annual fee to remain on the compulsory and/or voluntary parts.
If you apply to register only on the Childcare Register, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee, which is set by the government. If you decide to withdraw your application, you will need to pay the fee again if you want to apply again at a later stage.’ Each person requiring an enhanced DBS disclosure notice must pay for the cost of this check. You must also pay an annual fee for continued registration.
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45. Conclusion The provision of childcare is very important work.
You must show Ofsted how you intend to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and promote good outcomes for children.
If you intend to register on the compulsory and/voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, you must agree to meet the requirements.
Ofsted works closely with local authorities who will provide you with help, support and training.
Go through concluding remarks and make sure that everyone has the relevant documents to apply.
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