The requirements for settings on the Childcare Register were most recently revised in September 2014.
The requirements were initially set out in the Ofsted factsheet Requirements for Registration on the Childcare Register, but this factsheet was replaced in December 2015 by Annex C in the Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook. The requirements themselves are unchanged by being incorporated into the Registration Handbook but they have been renumbered.
Compulsory part of the Childcare Register
The key changes to the Compulsory part of the Childcare Register that affect out of school clubs are listed below. The relevant sections from Annex C are shown in brackets:
Welfare of the children being cared for
There is now a general requirement that providers must ensure that every person caring for children is alert to any indications that a child may be suffering from harm. (CR1.2)
The previous requirements on staffing and qualifications have been replaced with a new requirement that:
- there must be a sufficient number of staff present at all times to ensure the safety and welfare of the children (CR1.7)
- the number of staff must not be less than one person for every 30 children (CR1.8)
- at least one person present must have an appropriate first aid qualification. (CR1.3)
The minimum age of unsupervised staff has changed from 18 to 17 (CR1.11).
Arrangements for safeguarding children
There is a new requirement that providers must train all staff on their written statement of procedures to be followed to safeguard children from abuse or neglect (ie their Safeguarding Policy) (CR2.4). Previously there was only a requirement for the provider to have and to implement such a statement of procedures.
There is a new requirement for providers to designate a lead practitioner who has particular responsibility for ensuring the welfare and safety of children (this includes providing support and guidance in relation to child protection matters to other staff, attending child protection training and liaising with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Director of Children’s Services as appropriate). (CR2.5 - CR2.8)
Suitability of persons to care for children
The previous specific requirements for providers to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children have changed. Providers must now:
- continue to ensure that people looking after children are suitable to work with children (CR3.1)
- ensure that staff have sufficient command of the English language to ensure the welfare and safety of children. (CR3.2)
- There is a new requirement on providers to provide (or secure) any training which they consider necessary to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and experience to care for children. (CR4.1)
Qualifications and training
The old sections on qualification requirements (formerly CR4.3 and CR4.4) no longer apply.
Suitability and safety of premises and equipment
There is a new requirement that:
- where food is provided, there must be suitable facilities for the preparation of food (CR5.7)
- that any food and drink provided must be healthy and nutritious (CR5.8)
- children must have access to drinking water. (CR5.9)
There is a new requirement that premises must provide access to a secure outdoor space, or where this is not practicable, reasonable arrangements must be made for activities to take place outdoors. (CR5.11)
The former requirements regarding risk assessments have been replaced with a more general requirement that providers must take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to the health or safety of children in their care and to staff. (CR5.5)
Voluntary part of the Childcare Register
The key changes to the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register that affect out of school clubs are listed below. The relevant sections from Annex C of the Registration Handbook are shown in brackets:
Welfare of the children being cared for
The previous requirements on staffing and qualifications have been replaced with a new requirement for there to be a sufficient number of staff present at all times to ensure the safety and welfare of the children. (CR1.7)
The minimum age of unsupervised staff is changed from 18 to 17. (CR 1.11)
Suitability of persons to care for children
The specific criteria regarding suitability of persons to care for children have been removed. Providers must continue to ensure that people looking after children are suitable to work with children. (CR3.1)
Suitability and safety of premises and equipment
The former requirements regarding risk assessments have been replaced with a more general requirement that providers must take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to the health or safety of children in their care and to staff. (CR5.5)
More information
The Ofsted factsheet Requirements for Registration on the Childcare Register has been replaced by Annex C in the Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook. You can download the Registration Handbook below:
Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook
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