Start and Register a Childcare Business

Starting a childcare business requires careful planning and mandatory registration with Ofsted. Whether you're opening a nursery, preschool, or becoming a childminder, you must meet strict regulatory requirements before you can care for children.

This guide covers the essential steps to register with Ofsted, comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and set up your childcare business legally and safely.

Who needs to register with Ofsted?

You must register with Ofsted if you provide childcare for children under 8 years old in England for more than 2 hours per day and receive payment for it.

Compulsory registration applies to:

• Nurseries and preschools
• Childminders caring for children in a domestic setting
• Holiday clubs and after-school clubs for children aged 5-7
• Nannies caring for children from 3 or more families simultaneously (childcare on non-domestic premises falls outside the nanny category and must be registered as childcare on non-domestic premises)

Exemptions: Schools running clubs on their own premises for their registered pupils are exempt. Temporary provision on particular premises for 14 days or fewer per year is also exempt, provided you give Ofsted written notification at least 14 days before the first day.

Ofsted registration costs and timescales

Budget for registration fees and allow sufficient time for the registration process before you plan to open:

Step-by-step: Register with Ofsted

The Ofsted registration process is thorough and typically takes around 12 weeks from acceptance of a complete application. Start well before your planned opening date:

DBS checks for childcare workers

Everyone working with children must have an Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list check. This includes all staff, volunteers, and household members if you're a childminder.

EYFS framework compliance

All registered childcare providers in England must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. This sets standards for learning, development, safeguarding, and welfare of children from birth to 5 years.

Key EYFS requirements:

Staff qualifications

Ofsted requires specific qualification levels for early years staff:

Premises requirements

Your childcare premises must meet statutory space and facilities requirements:

Business registration and tax

Beyond Ofsted registration, you need to register your childcare business with HMRC and ensure proper insurance coverage:

Funding opportunities

Once registered, you can claim government funding on behalf of parents. This makes your childcare more affordable and attractive to families:

Penalties for non-compliance

Operating without registration or breaching EYFS requirements carries serious penalties: