Guidance

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks: childcare providers

Ofsted’s position on Disclosure and Barring (DBS) checks for childcare providers who register with Ofsted.

• From: Ofsted and Disclosure and Barring Service
• Published: 22 September 2014
• Last updated: 1 November 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 1 November 2024

     Updated to include reference to the new childcare provider type, 'childminders without domestic premises', following changes introduced by the Department of Education’s EYFS framework, published on 1 November 2024. We have also clarified that we do not require DBS checks for staff working in the same premises as a childminder without domestic premises, but who are not looking after children.

  2. 6 October 2017

     Changes to the guidance about signing up to the DBS update service: this is strongly recommended but no longer mandatory.

  3. 22 September 2014

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for childcare providers who register with Ofsted

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View guidance on how to get a DBS check.

This guidance sets out Ofsted’s position on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for childcare providers who register with Ofsted and others who need them (eg people who live in a house where childcare takes place).