{"id":14788,"date":"2023-07-22T06:51:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T06:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=14788"},"modified":"2023-07-22T07:01:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T07:01:51","slug":"ofsted-inspection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/business\/childcare-providers\/ofsted-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"Being Inspected as a Childminder and Graded by Ofsted in UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

OFSTED INSPECTIONS<\/strong>: You should prepare to get inspected if you want to register as a childminder<\/a> or a childcare provider.<\/p>\n

Home visits take place after you are registered<\/a>. The aim is to verify you are meeting the requirements for learning and development (and safety).<\/p>\n

So, what happens if you fail to meet Ofsted registration requirements?<\/p>\n

In this case, they will inform you what improvements to make and how long you have to become compliant.<\/p>\n

The register you are on determines when the inspections take place.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: As a rule, Ofsted inspectors will carry out both inspections at the same time for anyone registered on the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register.<\/p>\n

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The Childcare Register<\/h2>\n

Being registered ONLY on the Childcare Register means you could get inspected at any time. Afterwards, they will send out a letter that informs you whether you met all the requirements.<\/p>\n

You can search for Ofsted inspection reports<\/a> they have published about childminders, childcare providers, schools, and colleges.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: You can read further guidelines on how Ofsted inspects childcare services<\/a> only recorded on the Childcare Register.<\/p>\n

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The Early Years Register<\/h2>\n

Anyone registered on the Early Years Register should expect an inspection within the first thirty (30) months after registering. Following that, you should get at least one more visit during each inspection cycle.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: Ofsted inspections also occur any time they get a report of someone’s concerns about childcare provision.<\/p>\n

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Getting Notice of Ofsted Inspections<\/h2>\n

So, how do you get notice of an inspection if you are running an organisation (e.g. a nursery or a playgroup)?<\/p>\n

In this case, you would receive a telephone call at midday (or afternoon) on the working day before the inspection goes ahead. They would still inspect you even if the inspector was unable to confirm it in a phone call.<\/p>\n

What about childminders or childcare providers who operate irregular hours?<\/p>\n

They would receive a telephone call up to five (5) days before a planned inspection to check what days they are working. So, you would get notice of the inspection start time, but not the actual day that Ofsted inspectors would conduct it.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: Ofsted would ask the occupier for permission to conduct an inspection if a home childcarer works there. They can carry out an inspection without warning if they have concerns about the childcare you are providing.<\/p>\n

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1. Before an Ofsted Inspection<\/h2>\n

You will need to inform the parents of the child you are looking after that an inspection is going to take place.<\/p>\n

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2. During an Ofsted Inspection<\/h2>\n

The inspector will be from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). During the course of a childminder or childcare provider inspection, they will:<\/p>\n