About Ofsted

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. It registers and inspects early education or childcare for children aged from birth up to their eighth birthday. Click here for more information.

The Early Years Register and the Early Years Foundation Stage

Most people and organisations who want to provide childcare for children aged from birth to the 31 August following their fifth birthday (known as the ‘early years’ age range) must register on the Early Years Register and deliver the early years foundation stage, a framework for the education and welfare of young children.

The Compulsory Register

All childcare settings regularly caring for children under eight are on the Compulsory Register 

The Voluntary Register

Other services can choose to register on the Voluntary Register.

Home based childcarers, such as nannies, can register with the Voluntary Register.

Ofsted inspections and inspection report

You can use Ofsted inspection reports to help you decide which providers to visit when you are choosing childcare or to tell you more about a provider that someone else has recommended.

inspection reports give you information about what the inspector found on the day of the inspection. All inspection reports include grades on the quality of provision and things the provider can do to improve. Click here to search for Ofsted inspection reports.

Click here to search for Ofsted inspection reports. 

Main Ofsted contact details - for enquiries and complaints, by email and phone, please see the bottom of this webpage