Ofsted register

Following the introduction of the Childcare Act 2006 the Government is reforming the regulation and inspections regime for childcare in England. These changes will simplify the currently complex arrangements, providing greater clarity to parents and childcare providers.

Currently, care for children aged under eight must be registered by Ofsted, unless it is activity based or provided in the child’s own home. Care provided in the child’s own home or by childminders looking after children aged eight and over can be approved on the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS) or group care for children aged eight and over can be approved by accredited Over Sevens Quality Assurance (QA) schemes. Parents can access financial support through employer supported childcare vouchers and the childcare element of working tax credit if they use childcare that is registered by Ofsted or approved by either the CAS or the Over Sevens QA schemes.

Each of these schemes are operated separately and apply a different set of standards and requirements. This is confusing to parents and is not an efficient way of identifying care which meets certain standards.

The new arrangements will mean that all childcare (in England) can be registered by Ofsted, if they meet the requirements. Ofsted will operate two registers: the Early Years Register (EYR) and the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR). From September 2008, provision for children up to the age of five will be required to register on the EYR, unless exempt, and provision for children aged between five and seven will be required to register on the compulsory part of  OCR, unless exempt.

Care for children over eight and care for children under eight that is exempt from registering on the EYR or the compulsory part of the OCR will be able to choose to register on the voluntary part of the OCR, if they meet the requirements. The Department for Education and Skills is currently consulting on the care that will be required to register on the EYR or OCR.

In April 2007, the voluntary part of the OCR will begin. Providers of care who are not currently registered by Ofsted can be registered on the OCR, if they meet the requirements. Care that is not currently required to register is care for children aged eight and over, activity based care and care provided in the child’s own home.

Care that is registered on either the EYR or the OCR will be considered eligible care for the purpose of employer supported childcare vouchers and working tax credit.

From September 2008, childcare that is provided directly by a school will not be registered by Ofsted. Care that is provided directly by a school covers care for children aged three and over that is provided by the school’s governing body, on the school site and where pupils from the school attend. Instead childcare provided directly by schools will be inspected through the schools inspection system. This type of care will remain eligible for employer supported childcare vouchers and working tax credit.

Once the voluntary part of the OCR begins the CAS will be phased out and the accreditation of Over Seven’s QA schemes will cease.

Carers who provide care in the child’s own home and childminders who care for children aged eight and over can currently be approved on the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS). However, once the voluntary part of the OCR is introduced, this scheme will be phased out. The CAS will continue to take applications for approval until 30 September 2007. After this point the CAS will no longer accept applications.

Nannies approved on the CAS will continue to be approved until their approval expires (one year after it was granted). Approval on the CAS will continue to mean parents can, if they are eligible, claim the childcare element of working tax credit and employer supported voucher, until the approval expires.

Fact box — Ofsted register

• Under the new Ofsted register nanny will be required to have a valid first aid certificate and a public liability insurance
• Nanny will also be required to confirm that she is suitable to work with children and that she has training in the common core skills
• The cost to be registered will be £100 per nanny, plus £36 for the CRB check. The CRB check must be done through the post office verify system and will be subject to a £8 admin charge
• The Government is subsidising the CRB check in full until April 2008
• Nanny can be approved under the Childcare Approval Scheme until September 2007. After this date nanny must be Ofsted registered in order for parents to continue receiving financial support.

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