Looking out for your child

Choosing childcare is a daunting experience for many, but Ofsted is here to help you make the right decisions

We know that choosing childcare can be a daunting experience, but there is no need to feel as if you are taking it on alone. Ofsted can give you information to help you make an informed decision.

Ofsted’s website contains inspection reports for all providers, together with details of the conditions attached to their registration. They present a comprehensive and impartial picture of the childcare setting, give a quality grading for the provider, and clearly state any improvements they have required the provider to make. You can find these reports at: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

Here are some simple steps to follow when choosing childcare:

1. Contact your local Children’s Information Service
   You can discuss with them which type of childcare would be best for your child and obtain a list of available vacancies in your area. Call 08000 960 296 to find your nearest service.
2. Check if the day-care provider or childminder is registered with Ofsted
   The law requires day-care providers and childminders who look after children under eight for more than two hours each day, to register with Ofsted. Every registered childcare provider must display their registration certificate. Where you see a certificate displayed, it confirms that the childcare provider is registered and has met the 14 National Standards laid down by the government. Before registration Ofsted will check whether the people providing care are suitable. It will also ensure that the premises themselves are suitable for providing childcare.
3. Read the childcare provider’s conditions of registration on the certificate on Ofsted’s website
   These conditions will tell you how many children, and in what age groups, the childcare provider is allowed to care for. They will also tell you if Ofsted gave permission for the childcare provider to care for children overnight. Occasionally Ofsted sets conditions on other matters, for example stipulating that some areas of the premises may not be used for childcare. The website or registration certificate will tell you if any such conditions apply to your childcare provider.
4. Read Ofsted inspection reports
   Ofsted inspects every childcare provider within seven months of registration and at least once in every three years. It uses the information gathered during an inspection to make judgements on the quality of childcare. If the provider offers governmentfunded early education, Ofsted will also make a judgement about the quality of the education provided.

Complaints

If you have concerns that your childcare provider is not meeting National Standards, you should talk to the provider directly. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact Ofsted on 08456 404040. They will look into your concerns and if necessary, will require the provider to make improvements.

For more information visit www.ofsted.gov.uk

 

 

 

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