FAQs for parents

1. What types of childcare are there?

As any form of care for a child, including education or any other supervised activity, Ofsted registers childcare on two registers: the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.

There are different types of registered childcare. These include childminders, nurseries, play groups, pre-schools and some crèches and out of school clubs. The type of childcare depends on: where the childcare takes place; how many people are providing the childcare; and the ages of the children who are cared for. Some types of childcare are exempt from registration with us.

• Childminder – This is a person who is registered to look after one or more children to whom they are not related, for reward on domestic premises. Childminders work with no more than two other childminders or assistants. 
• Childcare providers – Childcare providers care for at least one individual child for a total of more than two hours in any day. This is not necessarily a continuous period of time. Childcare providers can work on domestic or non-domestic premises. A childcare provider on domestic premises works with at least three other people.
  
  For further information please visit Ofsted’s childcare section and read their Information for parents and carers using childcare services leaflet.

2. How do I find childcare for my child(ren)?

You can download a list of childcare providers here. List of nurseries or a list of childminders. Alternatively the Family Information Service (FIS) will help you find a childminder or a childcare provider like a nursery. The FIS will have lists of registered providers plus information about childcare you may find helpful. Contact us using our email address FIS@westminster.gov.uk.

On the Ofsted website, you can find information about registered childcare in the inspection reports section. You will find details there about all registered childcare, including their conditions of registration and latest inspection reports. You can find out more by reading the registration and inspection FAQs below. Please note that ofsted currently do not publish names and addresses for childminders, home childcarers and childcare on domestic premises.

3. Can anyone provide childcare? What is registration of childcare?

If you wish to provide childcare – for example, as a childminder or nursery – you have to apply to register before you can do so, unless the type of childcare you offer is exempt from registration. Please see the FAQs below for more information.

Ofsted registers most but not all childcare providers – see their website Registration not required factsheet. Ofsted register childcare providers on the Early Years Register and/or the Childcare Register. A registered childcare provider will receive a certificate of registration that the childcare provider must display at all times. The certificate will have details of any conditions of registration and a childcare provider must meet their conditions of registration at all times.

For further information please read their Information for parents and carers using childcare services and Registering childcare providers leaflets, or go to the childcare registration section.

4. How soon after a childcare inspection is an Ofsted report available?

Ofsted normally send the inspection report to the provider within 10 to 15 working days after the end of the inspection. Ofsted will publish the report on their website 20 working days after the end of the inspection. All providers are required by law to give parents, and anyone who asks, a copy of their inspection report. They may charge a fee for doing this.

5. How do I find an inspection report for a childminder or a childcare provider?

As mentioned in the 'Can anyone provide childcare?' FAQ, Ofsted registers providers on the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register. Ofsted inspect all childcare providers on the Early Years Register, but only a random sample of those registered on the Childcare Register.

• Early Years Register– You can find reports in the inspection reports section. All registered childcare providers must give each parent of a child regularly using their service a copy of their inspection report. 
• Childcare Register – A Childcare Register inspection does not lead to an inspection report. Ofsted send a letter to the provider saying whether or not they have met the requirements; Ofsted publish the letter on their website in the inspection reports section. The provider does not have to provide parents with a copy of the letter.

To find a childcare provider’s inspection report or letter, please go to the inspection reports section; it includes guidance and help pages and there is also a searching for inspection reports FAQs page.

6. Why is the childcare provider that I am interested in not on your website?

The two main reasons are:

• our website only has registered childcare providers and some childcare providers do not need to register with Ofsted – further information is in their Registration not required factsheet 
• our website only has registered childcare providers that offer childcare services available to the public.

If you want to find out if a provider is registered then ask to see the certificate of registration; this should always be on display.

7. I want to know if a childcare provider has been inspected. How can I contact Ofsted?

Please call them on 0300 123 1231, or email them at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. If email them, please help them to help you by putting ‘Childcare provider inspection: [name of provider]’ in the subject box.

8. I have a childcare question. Who do I contact?

Contact the FIS in the first instance as we will be able to answer any questions regarding childcare providers.  Alternatively you may contact Ofsted, call them on 0300 123 1231, or email them at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. If you email them, please help them to help you by putting ‘Childcare query: [a short description of your query]’ in the subject box.

9. I have a childcare complaint or concern. How can I contact Ofsted? Is there any guidance for me to read?

Please go to the complaints FAQs.