Guidance

Inspecting and regulating registered childcare providers: information for parents

How Ofsted inspects and regulates childcare and what parents should do if they have concerns about their provider.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 15 January 2013
• Last updated: 2 April 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 2 April 2026

     Updated to reflect changes to the inspection timescale from April 2026 for providers registered on the Early Years Register.

  2. 7 November 2025

     Updated to reflect inspection processes under the renewed inspection framework.

  3. 17 July 2025

     Updated the process we will follow if we receive an anonymous complaint about a provider.

  4. 21 November 2024

     Updated to reflect how we handle anonymous complaints.

  5. 3 February 2021

     Updated the 'Inspections' section to reflect the 6-year inspection window and added links to published guidance.

  6. 15 December 2016

     Updated links and dates

  7. 11 March 2015

     'What will you do with the information?' section updated for first paragraph,

  8. 15 January 2013

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Information for parents about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare

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This guide includes information about:

• how Ofsted inspects and regulates childcare
• what information is available for parents and carers when choosing childcare, such as Ofsted inspection reports
• how to raise concerns about a childcare provider