Guidance and regulation

This framework sets out Ofsted's inspection principles and the main judgements that inspectors make.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 14 July 2023

• Education inspection framework

  This guidance came into force on 1 September 2023. Introduction The…

• Summary of changes

  July 2023 (for September 2023 version) New paragraphs added to outline the…

Ofsted guidance on inspecting registered early years and childcare providers under the education inspection framework.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 5 April 2024

• Early years inspection handbook

  This guidance came into force on 5 April 2024. Introduction 1. This…

• Summary of changes

  April 2024 Paragraph 3: clarification that, when applying the handbook,…

Ofsted-registered childminders, nannies, nurseries and other daycare must use this service to report significant events affecting their childcare within 14 days.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 19 August 2022

Guidance for childminders, nannies and other registered childcare providers with examples of what Ofsted considers to be a significant event.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 3 March 2022

Find out whether you need to tell Ofsted about an accident, injury or illness a child suffers while in your care.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 21 February 2022

Nannies registered with Ofsted must follow these requirements.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 7 March 2023

Childcare services can display this poster. It has information about our responsibilities and how parents can contact us.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 3 November 2023

Ofsted's policy on how we regulate childcare providers explains what we may do if a provider is not following the regulations.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 5 April 2024

Requirements you must meet if you are a childminder and registered with Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 9 August 2022

Guidance on checks we will carry out on anyone associated with Ofsted-registered childcare.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 27 February 2024

Requirements you must meet if you are an Ofsted-registered out of school club, nursery or other type of daycare on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 9 August 2022

This guidance is for Ofsted inspectors carrying out inspections of providers that are only registered on either or both parts of the Childcare Register.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 5 April 2024

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

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 3 February 2021

Requirements you must meet if you are an Ofsted-registered daycare provider on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 31 October 2022

Requirements you must meet if you are a childminder registered with Ofsted on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 24 October 2022

Find out if you have the qualifications and experience to contract as an Ofsted inspector for childminders, daycares and other childcare providers.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 19 January 2022

Guidance for applicants on what to expect from Ofsted during the childcare application review process.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 14 November 2023

Information for providers, parents and carers about what happens when we suspend a childcare provider’s registration.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 14 December 2021

Your laptop or other portable computer will need to meet certain specifications to allow you to work as an Ofsted inspector.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 19 January 2022

Guidance for childminder agencies about the main activities carried out by inspectors. It also sets out the judgements that inspectors will make.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 5 April 2024