Guidance

Childminder agencies: registration and suitability

Guidance for childminder agencies on registering with Ofsted, including the process, fees and requirements. It sets out the legal background and the extent of our regulatory powers.

Applies to England

Documents

'Known to Ofsted' form for childminder agencies

Details

Childminder agencies must register with Ofsted and be inspected by us (see ‘Childminder agencies: inspection guidance’). This guidance includes information about the registration process, fees, the checks that we carry out, what happens at the registration visit and how to keep us informed once the agency is registered.

View application forms for registering a childminder agency with Ofsted.

Childminders (or providers of childcare on domestic premises) who would like to register with an agency can find:

Published 27 August 2014
Last updated 30 November 2023 + show all updates
  1. See 'Summary of changes' document.

  2. Updated 'Known to Ofsted' form for childminder agencies.

  3. Updated the 'registration and suitability' guidance to clarify that if the agency resigns the registration, certain details will remain on the Ofsted reports website for a set period of time.

  4. Added guidance for childminders or providers of childcare on domestic premises who want to register with a childminder agency.

  5. Added 'Known to Ofsted' form for agencies to use to contact Ofsted for information when considering an application for registration from a childminder.

  6. Updated guidance throughout - see the summary of changes for more information.

  7. First published.