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What is OFSTED?
OFSTED is the Government department that inspects schools. It aims to improve standards of achievement and quality of education in schools. Since September 2001, OFSTED’s remit has been extended to the regulation of childcare services, including childminders. OFSTED has set up a new Early Years Directorate to do this new work in ways that are clear and consistent. Childcare Inspectors employed by OFSTED register and inspect nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, crèches, out of school clubs, holiday playschemes and childminders for children under eight.

What do OFSTED do?
OFSTED’s Early Years Directorate process applications from new childcare providers. All childcare providers have to meet a set of national standards to be registered.
This will mean that the care provided to children meets consistent quality standards wherever the service is located in England.

One or more Childcare Inspectors will inspect childcare providers on a regular basis. During the inspection, providers need to show that children are safe, well cared for, and take part in activities that contribute to their development and learning. The Childcare Inspector checks the work of the provider against the national standards. Childcare providers who do not meet the national standards at the time of inspection are told to make improvements within a definite timescale or have their registration cancelled.
OFSTED look into complaints or other information which give it reason to believe a childcare provider is not meeting the national standards or other requirements.

OFSTED wants views of parents about childcare providers. They will ask for parents’ views at the time inspections are carried out.

Which childcare services do OFSTED inspect?
OFSTED register and inspect these childcare services for children up to eight years old:

• Full Daycare
This includes day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, children’s centres and some family centres
• Sessional Daycare
This includes playgroups, pre-schools and nurseries where children attend some sessions
• Crèches
This means services available for two hours or more for children while their parents are busy, for example shopping, playing sport or studying
• Out-of-school Care
This means services providing for school-age children such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs or holiday playschemes
• Childminder
This is someone who is not a relative of the child and is registered to look after children in the childminder’s home for reward

The National Standards for Daycare
OFSTED makes sure that each childcare provider meets all the standards.
The national standards will cover matters such as:
1. the suitability of adults to care for children
2. making sure there are sufficient adults to take care of the children
3. the amount of space
4. the resources for children’s needs
5. the activities to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities
6. the safety of the premises
7. the suitability of furniture, equipment and toys
8. the prevention of the spread of infection
9. equality of opportunity for children and those who work with them
10. the special needs of children
11. the management of children’s behaviour
12. the partnership with parents and carers
13. child protection procedures
14. keeping records

How to contact Ofsted
Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted helpline : 0845 601 4771
Ofsted helpline / complaints line: 08456 40 40 40