Collection

Ofsted regulation and inspection of childminder agencies

Forms and guidance relating to Ofsted's regulation and inspection of childminder agencies.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 12 December 2014
• Last updated: 28 February 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 28 February 2025

     Added 'Childcare protocols between Ofsted and other organisations', which includes the working protocol between Ofsted and childminder agencies.

  2. 20 June 2016

     New childminder agency inspection handbook published. 'Deferral of Ofsted inspections' updated for childminder agencies.

  3. 11 January 2016

     Collection updated with childminding agencies draft inspection handbook.

  4. 12 December 2014

     First published.

Childminder agencies must register with, and be inspected by, Ofsted.

Registering with Ofsted and telling us about changes

• Childminder agencies: registration and suitability
  • 1 November 2024
  • Guidance
• Become a childminder agency: forms
  • 17 June 2021
  • Guidance
• Childcare protocols between Ofsted and other organisations
  • 28 February 2025
  • Guidance

Inspections

• Childminder agencies: inspection guidance
  • 1 November 2024
  • Guidance
• Childminder agency (CMA) inspection requirements for Ofsted
  • 23 February 2021
  • Policy paper

About childminder agencies

• Childminder agencies: list of agencies
  • 10 October 2025
  • Guidance