Guidance

Become a registered early years or childcare provider in England

Guidance about registering with Ofsted to provide childcare and a list of situations when you don't have to register.

Published 22 December 2015
Last updated 6 October 2017 — see all updates
From:
Ofsted

Documents

Early years and childcare registration handbook

PDF, 918KB, 50 pages

Early years and childcare registration handbook

MS Word Document, 861KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Registration not required

PDF, 343KB, 4 pages

Registration not required

MS Word Document, 249KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This guidance includes:

  • information about the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register
  • who can apply to register
  • information about registration fees
  • what applicants will need before they register
  • registration requirements
  • details of the checks and inspections Ofsted carries out

The ‘Registration not required’ document lists the situations when childcare providers don’t have to register.

Visit Ofsted Online to apply online to join the Childcare Register or the Early Years Register.

Published 22 December 2015
Last updated 6 October 2017 + show all updates
  1. Updated paragraphs 28 and 31: Ofsted strongly recommends signing up to the DBS Update service but this is no longer mandatory.
  2. Minor changes as follows: Annex A, page 31, item 11 of the registration not required table - removed the text ‘excluding childminders’. Page 12, para 46 - added a footnote to clarify the definition of a ‘governing body’, in the context of an organisation.
  3. First published.