Types of early years and childcare Ofsted regulates

We register four types of early years and childcare.

Childcare on domestic premises: a group of four or more people working with children in someone’s home.
Childcare on non-domestic premises: a person or organisation providing care on premises that are not someone’s home, such as a purpose-built nursery, or a village hall. This provision covers private nurseries, playgroups and after-school clubs.
Home childcarer: home childcarers care for children from birth up to the age of 18 at the home of one of the children. The children must be from no more than two families at any one time. Nannies and au pairs are the most common examples of home childcare.
Childminder: childminders on the Early Years Register provide care for one or more children aged between birth and five, to whom they are not related, for reward in someone’s home – usually their own; childminders on the Childcare Register provide care for one or more children aged between five and eight, or from eight to 18, in someone’s home – usually their own.

There are two registers.

An early years and childcare provider can apply to join one register or both registers at the same time.

Providers marked as ‘closed’

Some providers on our website have a red 'closed' box. For further information go to the closed providers FAQ on the FAQs page.