Ofsted sets out how it registers childminders and group settings

Ofsted has published new registration policies for childminders and group-based childcare providers in England, as part of a restructure of its registration guidance.

The changes were published on 22 October. Ofsted also added new pages on registration fees, the childcare registers, the legal structure of childcare businesses, suitability checks and the role of a 'support person'.

New names

Ofsted now calls a 'childminder with domestic premises' a 'childminder based at home', and a 'childminder without domestic premises' a 'childminder based outside the home'. It has also started using 'group-based childcare provision' in place of 'daycare'.

The policies describe these types of registration:

• Childminder based at home: up to 4 people, including the childminder, looking after children partly or always in someone's home.
• Childminder based outside the home: up to 4 people looking after children somewhere that is not someone's home.
• Childcare on domestic premises: 5 or more people looking after children mostly or always in someone's home.
• Childcare on non-domestic premises: any number of people looking after children somewhere that is not someone's home. This includes most nurseries, playgroups, before- and after-school clubs and holiday clubs.

Each policy sets out who must register, the legal requirements, suitability and safeguarding duties, and Ofsted's approach to inspection and enforcement.

Fees and other new pages

The fees page says it costs £35 for a childminder to join the Early Years Register, and £220 for childcare on domestic or non-domestic premises. These providers pay a reduced £35 if they work less than 3 hours a day, 5 days a week or 45 weeks a year. The same fee is due every year, and Ofsted will cancel a registration if the annual fee is not paid.

The legal structure page explains when a new registration is needed. Examples include a sole trader becoming a limited company, or a company buying another provider and running it under its own company.

The support person page says providers can bring someone, such as a family member, friend or colleague, to meetings or interviews with Ofsted. They must be over 18, and Ofsted must be told in advance.

Updated pages

• Who needs a DBS check: more detail on the type of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check needed for each type of provider.
• Significant events: clarifies the requirements for providers on the Early Years Register and the General Childcare Register. Events must be reported as soon as reasonably possible, and within 14 days.
• Disqualification: restructured to explain what disqualification means, who can apply for a waiver and how to appeal.
• Registration exemptions: restructured to set out who cannot register and who is exempt.
• The 2-hour rule: clarifies what 'immediately' before or after school means. If a parent collects a child from school and brings them to you, that counts as a break and the care does not qualify.
• School-based provision: clarifies how wraparound care on school sites should be registered.