OfSTED

What is OfSTED?
OfSTED (the Office for Standards in Education) is a non-ministerial Government department. It was established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 to take responsibility for the inspection of education in all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of:

• all education for 16-19 year olds;
• local education authorities;
• teacher training institutions;
• youth work;
• childminders;
• home childcarers;
• day care providers;
• out-of-school clubs;
• creches.   

What do they do?

Before registration
Before a provider is registered, OfSTED assesses their suitability to provide childcare, look after or be in contact with children. This is done in a number of ways, including health checks, criminal records checks and 'suitable person interviews' on individuals. These assessments are carried out on all people aged 16 and over who look after children, are connected with the registration, or who live or work on the premises where children are to be cared for. OfSTED looks at equipment and checks that the local authority building control department is satisfied that the building is of a satisfactory standard.

After registration
After registering a provider, OfSTED inspects daycare providers and childminders at least once every two years to ensure that they continue to meet the national standards, and reports on these inspections. OfSTED needs to be informed of any changes of personnel or to the premises so that they can carry out any further checks as necessary. OfSTED will investigate complaints made about a provider and take enforcement action, if necessary, to ensure that providers meet the national standards. (see Complaints about a childcare provider)
For more information on OfSTED, call 08456 40 40 40 or visit www.ofsted.gov.uk

What are OfSTED's key priorities and targets?
OfSTED has four main regulatory functions with regard to childminding and day care:

• To register childminder applicants and new applicants who want to provide day care.
• To inspect every day care provider and childminder at least once every two years 
  to ensure they are meeting the national standards.
• To investigate complaints made about daycare providers and childminders to make
  sure they remain suitable to provide childcare.
• If necessary, to take enforcement action against providers to ensure they meet the
  national standards.