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. Read 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 years old, for more than 2 hours a day in England. Read more about registering as a childminder or childcare provider.

Inspection guidance, handbook and frameworks

You can read documents relating to Ofsted's inspection of early years and childcare providers.

Finding an Ofsted inspection report

Search for an Ofsted inspection report.

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 Ofsted logo guidelines must be followed if you want to use them.

Follow Ofsted

Contact details

For information and advice, you can get in touch with the Ofsted Contact Centre:

The Ofsted Contact Centre is open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.