Family Information Service Directory

Further information and guidance about keeping your children safe

Not all providers are required to be registered and some providers may not be regulated. However, providers who want to provide childcare for children aged under eight for more than two hours in any one day must register with the regulating body The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) before they can become childcare providers.

Where a group does require registration, e.g. most childcare – the Family Information Service receives confirmation and details from Ofsted.

Registered childcare explained

Registered childcare is:

• Nurseries
• Childminders
• Nursery classes within schools
• Pre-schools and playgroups
• Children’s centres
• Out of School childcare

Ofsted monitors the quality of registered childcare by ensuring the following:

• Registered childcare is inspected regularly with a maximum of three years between each inspection
• You can get a copy of an inspection report from www.ofsted.gov.uk Alternatively you can ask the nursery for a copy (please note: for a childminders individual report, you will need to get a copy from the childminder directly)
• Ensure all childcare workers have an up to date CRB check
• Ensure that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is followed and met. (The EYFS sets out specific requirements for the childcarer, including the provision of learning, development, young children’s welfare and good practice guidance)

For further information about the EYFS visit www.direct.gov.uk/eyfs

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your childcare please speak to your childcare provider or contact Ofsted on 08456 404040 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Non-registered childcare explained

Not all childcare has to be registered. There is a second group of people who can choose whether to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, which is available to those who want to register but do not have to do so.

This group includes:

• people who care for children aged 8 years+
• home based childcare-childcare in your home provided by nannies, au pairs, baby sitters, mothers help/aid
• other providers not currently required to register such as those who provide sports coaching, some after school clubs etc
• provision where parents remain onsite or in close proximity to their children such as shoppers’ crèches operating up to 4 hours each day

You should always check references of any childcarer you employ. Agencies should provide this information for you, including an up to date CRB check.

Safety and standards

You are entitled to ask questions about any childcare provision and any good provider will welcome this.

Think about asking the following questions around safety and standards:

• Do staff and volunteers have up to date CRB checks as staff working with, or having access to children, young people or vulnerable adults should be CRB checked
• Does the provision belong to a professional organisation or quality assurance scheme?
• Does the provision have child protection and health and safety policies in place?

For further information on finding and choosing childcare or registered and non-registered childcare please visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Childcare/DG_180946

Family Information Service Directory (FISD) Disclaimer

Important:The FISD provides information to parents and carers and their families on local and national services. Whilst we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information we are unable to recommend or endorse any organisations. The Family Information Service cannot accept responsibility or liability for any errors which have occurred or for the actions or negligence of those listed.

It is the responsibility of families to choose services carefully. We recommend that you always check details with individual childcare providers to ensure that their service meets your needs and the needs of your children. We also recommend that you ask the childcare provider for evidence of Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks, child protection and health and safety policies.