• Find an early years and childcare inspection report
• Understanding an early years and childcare inspection report
• Types of early years and childcare Ofsted inspects
• Inspecting registered early years and childcare
• Types of early years and childcare Ofsted regulates
• Regulating early years and childcare; applying to be a provider
  • About the two early years and childcare registers
  • The registration process for early years and childcare providers
• Children's centres
• About our survey reports
• Statistics for early years and childcare
• How to complain

The registration process for early years and childcare providers

We register an early years or childcare provider to:

• check that they – and anyone that works there – is suitable to look after children on behalf of their parents and carers.
• gather information about the provider, what they offer and any other people closely connected to it for our records.

To find out about the range of checks that we complete go to

• Guide to registration on the Early Years Register: childcare provider on domestic or non-domestic premises
• Guide to registration on the Early Years Register: childminder
• Guide to registration on the Childcare Register.

Registering as a provider

Early Years Register

The process begins with the prospective provider going to a briefing session held by their local authority where they can find out if they are a suitable candidate for being a provider. Some local authorities also hold briefings for prospective providers of childcare on domestic and non-domestic premises.

The next step is to complete the forms in the Early Years Register application pack and once completed send the application to us. We will send the applicant information on how to obtain checks from the Criminal Records Bureau.

During the application process we will visit the premises that the applicant plans to use.

During the visit we will interview all those connected to the application including checking how the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage will be met.

When we have completed our checks, we will decide if we will register the applicant as a provider.

Childcare Register

The process begins with the prospective provider submitting an application form that explains how they will meet the requirements of the Childcare Register. We also send information on how to obtain checks from the Criminal Records Bureau.

We do not usually visit or interview the applicant unless the checks indicate concerns, but if the applicant has lived in another country in the last five years we may need a certificate of good conduct from that country.

We will register the applicant if our checks have found them to be suitable.

Granting registration

If the applicant is accepted, then we will send them their registration certificate. A provider cannot begin caring for children until they have their certificate and the provider must display it where you can see it; home childcarers have to show it to you on request.

Refusing registration

If we refuse to register an applicant then this person cannot provide childcare that requires registration. If we refuse registration, then the applicant can object and appeal.