17 November 2025qualityBy Amanda
Ofsted Registration & Early Years Standards
What Ofsted registration means and how it affects the quality and safety of care your child receives.
What Does Ofsted Registration Mean?
As a registered childminder, I'm subject to strict Ofsted (Office of Standards in Education) oversight. This ensures all children receive high-quality, safe care.
Early Years (EYS) Registration
All childminders must be Early Years registered. This means:
- I've completed mandatory training courses
- I've been approved and vetted by Ofsted
- I'm regularly inspected to maintain standards
- I must follow strict childcare regulations
Ofsted Inspections
Ofsted inspections happen every 4-6 years. Currently, new childminders like myself are on a 4-year inspection cycle due to new legislation.
Ofsted Ratings
When inspected, I receive one of these grades:
- Outstanding - Exceptionally high-quality care
- Good - High-quality care that meets requirements
- Room for Improvement - Care that needs development
- Inadequate - Care that doesn't meet minimum standards
New Regulations & Training
Recent changes to childcare legislation mean I must stay up-to-date with requirements including food preparation standards, privacy requirements, safety checks, and child safeguarding training.