Key Ofsted documentation

This page provides quick links to the most relevant publications from Ofsted (and the DfE) for out of school clubs. The essential publications for providers of out of school care are shown in bold, other documents are useful background reading.

Early Years Register

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage

Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted (GOV.UK)
replaces the former Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook

Early Years inspection handbook (from September 2023)

Education inspection framework (EIF) (from September 2019)

Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings (from September 2019)

Early Years compliance handbook

Childcare Register

Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted (GOV.UK)
replaces the former Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook

Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted: Registration requirements (GOV.UK)
replaces the former Requirements for the Childcare Register (Annex C)

Conducting Childcare Register inspections

Framework for the regulation of provision on the Childcare Register

All settings

Exemptions from registration (GOV.UK)
Replaces the former Registration not required (Annex A)

Prevent duty guidance

Exemption notification form

Applying to waive disqualification

DBS checks for childcare providers who register with Ofsted