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High quality childcare

Quick links Find out how you can help improve quality by getting involved in childcare.

Frequently asked questions

How can I make sure the childcare I use is good quality?

All registered childcare services in England are registered and inspected by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) at least once every three years. Following an inspection, a report on the childcare service is available and you can request to see this from the childcare provider or view it online at: www.ofsted.gov.uk and use the unique registration number of the provider to search.

As a registered service, the childcare provider is on the national childcare register and has to meet the standards and regulations set out, which are:

• "When the childcare is right, it's good for parents, for children, for everyone. If you get good childcare at the beginning, hopefully it's going to help with their future." Parent

  The Early Years Register: For all childcare providers working with children aged five and under. By being on this register the provider has to meet all the standards of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which includes learning and development goals for the children, staffing requirements and health and safety issues.
• The General Childcare Register: this is divided into two sections; the compulsory part for childcare for children aged five-seven (inc) and the voluntary part, which is for childcare services for children aged eight and over, childcare in the child's home, for example, nannies, and activity-based services. All providers have to meet the standards required by these registers.

In Wales, childcare is registered by two regulatory organisations.  The Childcare at Home Approval Scheme is a voluntary scheme which approves providers who care for children up to the age of eight in the child's own home. Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) approves all other childcare in Wales that cares for children up to the age of eight, for more than two hours a day. You can request to see inspection reports using the name of the service and the post code from CSSIW at: www.csiw.wales.gov.uk.

In Scotland childcare services are registered and inspected by the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS).

When visiting a childcare provider always ask for references and speak to other parents about the care provided to get another perspective of the quality of the service.

For more information about quality in childcare services see our factsheet ‘Visiting childcare providers: How to find high-quality childcare'.

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