Qualifying for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
Find out if you must apply to join the compulsory part of the Childcare Register instead of one of the other types of childcare provider.
Applies to England
You must read this with the guide Apply to join the Childcare Register (CR1).
If the children you want to look after are not going to be in the early years range, you might have to be registered on the Childcare Register.
Early years age range
A child will be in the early years age range if they are any age from birth to the 31 August after their fifth birthday.
When you must register
You must apply to join the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if all of the following criteria are met:
- the children are older than the early years age range, but not yet 8 years old
- you will be looking after the children for more than 2 hours on each day you’re providing care
- you do not fall within one of the different types of childcare provider
When you cannot register at all
There are some situations when you cannot register at all with Ofsted.
Different types of childcare provider
If you meet the requirements of one of the following childcare providers, you must apply as that type of provider instead:
- a nanny – where you look after 1 or 2 families’ children in their family home
- a childminder – where you, with up to 2 other adults, look after children in your home or someone else’s home
- 4 or more adults work together at the same time to provide childcare in someone’s home – this is known as ‘childcare on domestic’
- a nursery or other daycare – where you look after children on commercial premises rather than someone’s home
Voluntary part of the Childcare Register
You might also be able to choose to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, if you meet the criteria.
If you are registering for the compulsory part, you can also apply for the voluntary part on the same application to join the Childcare Register.