Expanding a registered setting into new premises
Guidance for providers of childcare on domestic and non-domestic premises who want to expand their registered setting into new premises.
Applies to England
This guidance explains when you may be eligible to add new premises under your childcare setting’s registration and when you need to apply to register a new, separate setting. You should read this guidance if you are thinking about getting new premises.
If you are moving your setting, you must apply to register a new setting.
You may be able to apply to add new premises to your setting’s registration if you are expanding into new premises next to, or close to, your existing setting, and you intend to operate as one setting across both premises.
When you can add new premises to your existing setting’s registration
You can add new premises to your setting’s registration only if we agree to it in advance.
We will consider this an expansion of your existing setting if:
- the same manager oversees both premises
- the manager can monitor and supervise staff performance across both premises effectively
- the expansion does not compromise the manager’s and staff’s ability to meet the children’s needs and supervise them effectively and safely
- both premises operate under the same management structure and policies
- the premises are connected or close to each other with no barriers (for example, busy roads or large public spaces) or distances between them that would limit staff moving quickly from one to the other
We will also consider any other relevant information about how you will operate when making our decision.
When you will need a separate registration
You will need a separate registration if the new premises operate independently, or if they cannot feasibly or safely be operated as part of a single setting. This is the case when:
- there are separate managers and/or management structures
- it is not possible for the manager to have good oversight of both premises and a separate management structure is required (for example, due to the distance between premises or because of a significant increase in children)
- the premises operate independently under a different governance structure, for example as a separate company or committee
- the premises are run differently, with separate policies or practices being applied at each location
- barriers or distances between the premises may prevent staff from moving quickly between them
Making your application for expansion
You can apply when the new premises are fully prepared and ready to operate. We will not be able to consider your application if the premises are not ready.
To apply, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk from your registered email and provide the following:
- confirmation that your premises are ready
- details of your current setting, including the address and unique reference number (URN)
- information about the proposed new premises, including the address and management arrangements
- plans to manage staff, children and operations across both premises
- information about any distance and obstacles between the premises and how you intend to overcome these
- why you believe the premises are suitable to provide childcare from
- any additional information that may be relevant to support our assessment
We will consider each expansion on a case-by-case basis, so you should provide us with as much relevant information as possible.
Next steps
We will review the information provided to determine whether the premises meet the expansion criteria.
We will make the final decision about whether we view this as one setting. Depending on the outcome, we will then either:
- consider approving the premises as part of your existing registration
- ask you to submit an application to register a new, separate setting
The premises and the childcare arrangements must both be suitable before we can approve your application.
Updates to this page
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We clarified that new premises must be ready to operate to be registered as an expansion to an existing setting.
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First published.