NOTIFYING OFSTED
Providers must ensure that adults looking after children,
or having unsupervised
access to them,
are suitable to do so.
Specific legal requirements
Providers must notify Ofsted of:
- any change of provider or person with direct responsibility for early years provision;
- any proposal of childminders to employ an assistant
to look after children; - any change of persons of 16 years or over living or working on childminding premises;
- any proposal to change the hours during which childcare is provided which will entail the provision of overnight care;
- any change to the premises from which childcare is provided which may affect the space available to children and the quality of childcare available to them;
- any change in their name or address;
- any change in the name or registered number of a company, or any change in the name or registration number of a charity;
- any change in the address of premises on which childcare is provided;
- any criminal offence committed by the registered provider after the time of registration.
An early years provider who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this requirement,commits an offence.
Statutory guidance
to which providers should have regard
Where there is a change of provider or person in charge, or any change in persons
of 16 years or over living or working on childminding premises, the information provided
should be the new person’s date of birth, name, any former names or aliases and home
address.
Accessible individual records are kept on the premises containing the name and address of the staff members, any volunteers and committee members, and information about recruitment, training and qualifications.
In Practice
Childminders with teenage children need to ensure that immediately they turn 16 years of age they complete a CM2 form and submit it to Ofsted. This will enable a CRB clearance to be obtained. Failure to do this can result in an inadequate grading at an Ofsted inspection.
If you have a new baby then you need to notify Ofsted as this will affect the number of children you are permitted to care for and a new certificate will need to be provided.
If you are considering moving home then you need to plan ahead, especially if you plan to continue to mind immediately you are settled. Download our advice sheet below.
If you are having major building work or an extension then you also need to notify Ofsted. You will need to consider whether it is safe and practical to continue minding whilst the work is being carried out. You will need to do continual risk assessments during the work and again when it is finished. Ofsted may request to see a risk assessment if the area is to be used by the children or they may visit and do their own inspection.
If you are considering taking on an assistant then you must notify Ofsted immediately. See our download for employing an assistant.
If you are planning on offering overnight care then you will need to notify Ofsted and they will arrange a home visit to ensure your premises are suitable. See download below for overnight care policy.
