Safety and regulation
Ofsted
Ofsted are responsible for registering and regularly inspecting most childminders. Details and outcomes of these inspections are published on the Ofsted website.
Childminder Agencies register and inspect their own childminders, but the Agency is registered and inspected by Ofsted. Results are published on the Ofsted website.
Find out how childminders are registered
How childminders are registered
For children under 5
All early years settings must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which states the requirements for children's welfare, learning and development. Because childminders and group settings operate differently, there are separate versions of the EYFS which have the specific requirements listed including the lower ratios for childminders, but the quality and standard expected is the same.
Childminders who care for children from birth to the end of their school reception year must comply with the requirements set out in the childminder version of Statutory Framework for the EYFS.
For children over 5
Childminders who care for children over 5 years (or from Year 1 at school) must comply with the requirements set out in the Childcare Register.
