Childcare quality and standards

Childcare standards are regulated by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (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), then 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 Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) 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 have joined.

If you're worried about any aspect of your child's care, you should speak to the provider about it first. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact Ofsted and they will investigate it further for you.

You can also make a complaint to Ofsted if you have concerns about a provider that is not registered.