Research shows that high quality childcare during the early years has a lasting impact on children’s learning and development. In the first three years children develop at a faster rate than at any other time in their lives. Children who experience high quality childcare are well placed to achieve higher outcomes at school and develop the skills necessary for life-long learning.
The role parents’ play in supporting their child’s development is fundamental to making a difference to children’s learning. Good relationships between the childcare provider and the parents will help to ensure the child’s well-being, development and progress.
Each childminder, pre-school, day nursery and out of school club must register with Ofsted on one or more of their registers. There are 3 registers:
- Early years register - providers caring for children 0-5 years;
- Compulsory register - providers caring for children 5-7 years;
- Voluntary register - providers caring for children 8 and over are not required to register but can do so voluntary.
Ofsted will Inspect and regulate each registered provider to ensure the service they provide is meeting at least the minimum standards. Details of inspections can be found at the
Ofsted website.
Providers have to work in partnership with families and keep parents up to date with their child’s development.