Childcare quality and standards
Childcare standards are regulated by the Ofsted. Ofsted registered providers are checked for safety and suitability for caring for children. Find out how Ofsted checks standards and which providers need to be Ofsted-registered.
If a childcare provider is registered on the Early Years Register (EYR), or on either part of the General Childcare Register (GCR), they must meet certain standards. These standards include the suitability of the staff for working with children and the suitability and safety of the premises.
As part of the registration process, Ofsted carries out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to make sure all staff are suitable for working with children. This applies to all providers who are Ofsted registered, regardless of which register they've joined.
If you're worried about any aspect of your child's care, speak to the provider about it first. If you're still not satisfied, contact Ofsted and they'll investigate it further.
You can also make a complaint to Ofsted if you have concerns about a provider that's, not registered.
Page last updated: 24 February 2020
