Being inspected as a childminder

You must continue to meet the registration standards while you are working as a childminder Childminders and childcare providers: register with Ofsted - Registration requirements - Guidance - GOV.UK

You will need to:

  • pay the annual registration fee
  • keep your details up to date
  • report any major accidents or incidents

How and when you will be inspected by Ofsted depends on whether you are on the Childcare Register or the Early Years Register.

Ofsted will make sure you are meeting the requirements for:

  • safeguarding and welfare
  • learning and development

If you do not meet the requirements, you will be told hat you need to do to improve and when you need to improve by.

Childcare Register

You could be inspected at anytime if you are only on the Childcare Register. You will get a letter to tell you whether you've met the requirements. The inspection letter will be published online by Ofsted for one year Find an Ofsted inspection report.

Further information on how Ofsted inspectors carry out inspections of providers that are only registered on either or both parts of the Childcare Register, can be found at: Carrying out Childcare Register compliance inspections - GOV.UK

Early Years Register

Ofsted will usually inspect you within the first 30 months of registering as a childminder, and at least 6 years after that.

You may also be inspected if someone reports concerns about the childcare you are providing.

Getting notice of an inspection

Childminders or providers that do not operate regularly will get a call up to 5 days before an inspection to check what days they work. You will be told what time the inspection will start but not what day it will start. You can be inspected without warning. This is normally if Ofsted are concerned about the childcare you provide.

The inspection

From 10 November 2025 the Early Years Inspection Toolkit will set out the areas that will be evaluated and graded on inspections of registered early years and childcare provision. The areas are:

  • Safeguarding
  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines
  • Children's welfare and well-being
  • Leadership and governance

Grading for safeguarding will be either 'Met' or 'Not met'. The other areas will be graded as follows:

  • Exceptional standard
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement

Further information on Early Years' inspections from November 2025, can be found at: Early years inspection information: for use from November 2025 - GOV.UK