GOV.UK
Childcare and early years
Finding childcare, running a childcare business, financial support, data collection, local authority obligations.
Services
-
Find free early education and childcare
Check if your council offers free early education and childcare
-
Early years foundation stage
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5
-
Find an Ofsted inspection report
Search for Ofsted inspection reports for childminders and childcare providers, schools, colleges, further education providers, children and families services
-
Find a nursery school place
Apply for a place in a nursery school for children under 5 through your local council
-
Unpaid parental leave
Employer and employee guide to unpaid parental leave - eligibility, how much leave can be taken and notice periods
Guidance and regulation
News and communications
Research and statistics
- 30 hours free childcare: evaluation of the national rollout
- Childcare and early years survey of parents: 2017 follow-up survey
- Early education and outcomes to age 4
- Take-up of free early education entitlements
- Childcare providers and inspections as at 31 March 2018
Policy and engagement
Transparency
- Ofsted Annual Report 2016/17: education, children’s services and skills
- FOI: early years dataset as at 31 March 2017
- FOI: early years dataset as at 31 December 2016
- FOI: early years dataset as at 31 August 2016
- Memorandum of understanding between Ofsted and FSA