Ofsted - Early Years
Information about Ofsted for early years and childcare providers.
Who are Ofsted?
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. More about Ofsted
Registering as a childminder or childcare provider
You must register with Ofsted if you want to be paid to look after children under 8 for more than 2 hours a day in England. More information about registering.
Inspection guidance, handbook and frameworks
Here are documents relating to Ofsted's inspection of early years and childcare providers.
Finding an Ofsted inspection report
Search for an Ofsted inspection report here
Early Years Myths
Watch these early years films about myths and banish the myth monster
Using the Ofsted logos
The Ofsted logos are protected under Crown Copyright. Logos can only be used by providers that are judged the relevant grade overall at their last inspection. These guidelines must be followed if you are looking to use them.
Follow Ofsted
Online Services
Ofsted Online allows providers to communicate with Ofsted electronically. Once you have set up a personal Government Gateway account you can access the following services:
- Childcare Register Application
- Early Years Register Application
- Self-evaluation
- Online Payments
Contact details
For information and advice you can get in touch with the Ofsted Contact Centre, open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
- Phone: 0300 123 1231
- Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
- Online Enquiry Form: contact.form
- Address: Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD