Most childcare providers looking after children under the age of 8 must register with Ofsted. However, there are a number of exceptions to this. For example if the club is open for less than 2 hours per day, or only caters for children over the age of 8, registration with Ofsted is only voluntary. There are 2 Ofsted registers:
- the Early Years Register
- and the Childcare Register
Early years register
You should join this register if you’re caring for children aged from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday. You will need to meet all the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development requirements in the EYFS.
Childcare register
This register has two parts. Once you have joined the Childcare Register, you must meet the register requirements:
- Compulsory – for providers caring for children from 1 September after the child’s fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday
- Voluntary – join this if you are looking after children aged 8 and over, or if you are choosing to register voluntarily (for example, if you’re a nanny)
The requirements you need to follow if you register with Ofsted to look after children
If you are registered on the Early Years register, you must meet the Statutory requirements for the early years foundation stage
If you are registered on the Early Years and Childcare Registers, you will need to meet each set of requirements.
If you are on the Early Years Register, Ofsted will carry out regular inspections.
If you are registered on the Childcare Register you must meet the requirements of either or both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, depending on which part of the register you are registered on. Once registered, you must continue to meet the requirements set out below to remain registered with Ofsted.
Ofsted carry out compliance inspections on 1 in 10 providers annually to check this.
- The Framework for regulation of providers on the Childcare Register contains information about the compulsory and voluntary parts of the register.
- The guidance below has been split to make it easy for you to determine which requirements to meet. This depends on what type of provider you are and which part of the register you are registered on.
- Requirements for daycare providers registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
- Requirements for daycare providers registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register
Providers offering care exclusively before and after school or during the school holidays for children who normally attend reception (or older) class during the school day (see paragraph 3.41) do not need to meet the learning and development requirements. However, providers offering care exclusively before and after school or during the school holidays for children younger than those in the reception class age range, should continue to be guided by, but do not have to meet, the learning and development requirements. All such providers should discuss with parents and/or carers (and other practitioners/ providers as appropriate, including school staff/teachers) the support they intend to offer.
Where the provision is solely before/after school care or holiday provision for children who normally attend reception class (or older) during the school day, there must be sufficient staff as for a class of 30 children. It is for providers to determine how many staff are needed to ensure the safety and welfare of children, bearing in mind the type(s) of activity and the age and needs of the children. It is also for providers to determine what qualifications, if any, the manager and/or staff should have.
Inspecting before and after-school care and holiday provision
Annex A. Inspecting before and after school care and holiday provision
Safeguarding in out of school and holiday clubs
Training in safeguarding and child protection
Speak out Stay safe - is an online safeguarding programme for children aged 5 to 11 years old. It is available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands.
Working together to safeguard children
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills
Training on the AfC Learning Portal
The Out of School and Holiday Club Safeguarding Forum
Kingston and Richmond Safeguarding Children Partnership (KRSCP) Webinars
- Contextual Safeguarding
- Domestic Abuse Webcast
- Trauma Informed Practice
- KRSCP Webcast for Parents and Carers
Resources
- Out of Schools Booklet 2023
- Out of Schools Compliance Checklist
- Out of School Alliance
- NSPCC Website
- Development Matters
Out of school and Holiday club Safeguarding Forum slides
OOS Safeguarding Forum Autumn 2022 (PDF)
OOS Safeguarding Workshop March 23
Out of school and holiday club lead advisors in Early Years
Gary Pickett - Email: gary.pickett@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Lucy Chester - Email: lucy.chester@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Additional Support Funding
Aiming High Additional Support funding pays for additional support for children and young people with disabilities, complex health and additional needs who access mainstream short break activities. An activity provider can apply for the additional support funding, which allows an increase in their staff ratio. The funding pays for a designated staff member to work with a child or young person who requires additional support whilst taking part in an activity.
This funding offers parents and carers a break from their caring duties and creates opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to take part in positive activities with their peers.
Inclusion Development Officer:
Alys Robinson and Caroline Roberts
Mobile phone: 07523 300911 and 07749 588478
Email: alys.robinson@achievingforchildren.org.uk and caroline.roberts@achievingforchildren.org.uk