Ofsted | Information about early years and childcare

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Framework for the regulation of provision on the Childcare Register

This guidance explains how we regulate and inspect providers registered only on the Childcare Register. It summarises the main features of registration, inspection and the enforcement action we may take.
Framework for the regulation of provision on the Early Years Register

This guidance explains how we regulate and inspect providers registered on Early Years Register, including those who are also on the Childcare Register. It summarises the main features of registration, inspection and the enforcement action we may take.
Are you ready for your inspection? A guide to inspections of provision on Ofsted's Childcare and Early Years Registers

Are you ready for your inspection? is designed to help you to think about some of the implications for you as a provider when we inspect you.

Good early years provision for all

This is a consultation document on proposals for revisions to the inspection of early years providers
The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills 2011/12

This Annual Report presents evidence from inspection and regulatory visits undertaken between September 2011 and August 2012 by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).
The report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills: Early years

As part of the Annual Report 2011/12, we have published a separate report on provision for education and skills in the early years sector, which presents evidence from inspection and regulatory visits undertaken between September 2011 and August 2012.

Registered childcare providers and places in England - December 2008 onwards

Ofsted has a database of registered childcare providers in England, including the maximum number of places a provider may offer at any one time. This page has figures for December 2008 onwards. The
Schedule for the release of official statistics

This document announces the planned schedule for the release of official statistics by Ofsted. This document was updated in May 2013.
Conducting Childcare Register inspections

The aim of this guidance is to assist inspectors to carry out inspections of providers who are only registered on either or both parts of the Childcare

Conducting early years inspections

This guidance applies from September 2012. It provides guidance for inspectors conducting inspections under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from the time the inspection is arranged to the publication of the report.
Guidance on inspecting providers registered on both the Childcare and Early Years Registers

The aim of this guidance is to assist inspectors to carry out inspections of providers who are registered on both the Childcare and the Early Years Registers
Inspecting registered providers with no children on roll or no children present at the time of the inspection

The aim of this guidance is to assist inspectors when carrying out an inspection of providers registered on the Early Years Register when there are no children on roll or no children present at the time of the inspection visit.

Statement on registration and inspection of early years and childcare providers

12 Feb 2013

Following the Channel 4 Dispatches programme ‘How Safe Is Your Child's Nursery?’, broadcast on 11 February 2013, Ofsted has released this statement.
The importance of leadership - the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills 2011/12

27 Nov 2012

Strong leadership at every level is critical if England wants to have a world class education and skills system, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills said today.
Ofsted launches consultation on the inspection of Sure Start Children's Centres

29 Oct 2012

Ofsted has today launched a consultation on proposals for a revised framework for the inspection of Sure Start Children’s Centres.

Communication is the key to deaf children's development

17 Oct 2012

Deaf children’s entitlement to communicate and be communicated with is fundamental to their development and progress. This commitment, along with early diagnosis and timely access to well-coordinated support, helps deaf children’s well-being and life chances according to an Ofsted report published today.
Driving up standards of literacy

07 Sep 2012

To mark International Literacy Day on 8 September, we take a look at the findings from our latest reports on literacy and feature two case studies showing what good practice in literacy looks like.
More focused inspection planned to help drive improvements in early years

04 Sep 2012

Ofsted has today announced changes to the way it inspects early years providers, such as nurseries and childminders.

New Early Years Foundation Stage: new registration, new inspection

03 Sep 2012

The new EYFS changes how Ofsted registers and inspects providers on the Early Years Register.
Changes will affect childcare provider applications in late July and August 2012

27 Jul 2012

We are changing the way that we register providers on the Early Years Register in September 2012 due to the launch of the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Changes to early years regulation and inspection: analysis of consultation published

31 May 2012

Regulation of providers on the Early Years Register analyses the consultation on changes to early years regulation and inspection.

Ofsted’s website: continuing to improve

24 Apr 2012

The results of our website survey during January 2012 have helped us to make further improvements to the site since it was re-launched in July 2011.
New Early Years Foundation Stage in September

28 Mar 2012

A new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) will take effect in September 2012.
Ofsted seeks views on the regulation of early years and childcare providers

09 Jan 2012

Ofsted is consulting on changes to the way it registers and inspects early years providers, including nurseries and childminders, following the recent review of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The changes will coincide with the revised EYFS, which the Government intends to publish in September.