If you’re a parent living in the UK, you’ll probably have heard of Ofsted. Whether it be through Ofsted reports, Ofsted ratings, Ofsted inspections or Ofsted grades, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll have come across the name ‘Ofsted’ at some point or another. Yet despite how well-known it is, there’s still one very simple question that a lot of people can’t seem to answer…
What is ofsted?
Well, if you happen to be one of these people, then fear not: because that’s where we come in! We at Yoopies are here to guide you through everything you need to know about Ofsted – from what Ofsted stands for, to what Ofsted does, to the process of Ofsted registration. So that by the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll be a certified Ofsted expert!
1) What does Ofsted stand for?
5) How can I find an Ofsted Registered Childminder?
What does Ofsted stand for?
Ofsted stands for the Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Established in 1992, Ofsted is an independent, non-ministerial department of the UK government that reports directly to Parliament.
What does Ofsted do?
Ofsted’s role, in a nutshell, is to ensure that organisations providing education and care services in England (such as schools, nurseries, and childminders) are doing so at the highest standard possible. To ensure that these standards are being reached, Ofsted carries out three main roles:
- Registering
- Inspecting
- Reporting
Ofsted Registration
All childminders who look after children under the age of 8 outside of the family’s home (i.e. in a daycare setting or at their own home) must be Ofsted registered. It’s not obligatory for nannies who look after children in the family’s home, but it’s still highly recommended. To find out more about how to become Ofsted registered, have a look at our A-Z guide for childminders and nannies.
In general, Ofsted criteria require the nanny, childminder, or childcarer to:
- be over the age of 18
- be present at all times in order to ensure that the child is kept safe from harm
- not use corporal punishment on the child
- not smoke or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when looking after the child.
More specifically, Ofsted also insists that anybody offering child services must also have:
- the correct training (including an appropriate first aid qualification and enhanced DBS check)
- the right facilities (including a toilet, drinking water facilities and a secure outdoor space)
- a record of each child that has been looked after, including their name, address, date of birth and medical requirements
- a written complaints policy, so that all complaints can be fully investigated and responded to
- a written child protection policy to safeguard children against abuse or neglect
- an inclusive and unprejudiced admissions policy, which means providing for children regardless of their race, religion, gender, family background, disability and/or special educational needs.
The cost of Ofsted registration is £35 for both the Early Years and Childcare Register, and £103 for the Childcare Register on its own. Childminders can apply for both registers, and Nannies apply for the Childcare Register. The entire process, including the necessary qualifications, courses, and checks costs between £300 and £800, depending on the type of childcare provided and the courses chosen. You can sign up and register through the Ofsted website.
Ofsted Inspections
Ofsted employs over 1,800 qualified inspectors, whose role it is to carefully examine all educational services and childcare services that are Ofsted registered in England. These inspections are typically carried out every three to four years at schools, academies, nurseries and at the homes of childminders. There is also a pre-registration Ofsted visit for childminders looking after children under the age of 8 at the childminder’s home. Every year, Ofsted randomly inspects 10% of childcarers working at a family home, such as nannies, meaning you may be selected for inspection, or have been registered for years and never undergone inspected.
The main aim of an Ofsted inspection is to ensure that all Ofsted registered services are conforming to the criteria outlined above. They make judgments based on a five-point scale:
- Overall effectiveness
- Effectiveness of leadership and management
- Quality of teaching, learning, and assessment
- Personal development
- Behaviour and attitudes
During a school inspection, for example, the inspectors spend most of their time observing a wide range of lessons, with the aim of determining both the quality of teaching and its impact on the pupils’ development. Inspectors will also talk to headteachers, governors, teachers, pupils, and parents, in order to gain a comprehensive insight into the school’s quality and effectiveness. During an Early Years inspection, Ofsted will gather evidence by observing the children play and their interactions with the childcare provider. The inspector will also talk to the childcare provider about the activities they provide and gather insight from the parents about their opinion on the quality of care provided.
Ofsted has the right to inspect any school or educational facility without prior notice (if they deem this to be appropriate). In general, though, they typically give notice of their inspection around one working day before it’s due to begin.
Ofsted Report
Once these inspections have been carried out, the lead inspector will then write and publish an Ofsted report in which their findings are first sent to the childminder, nursery or school, before subsequently being released to the general public.
Within these reports you’ll find the Ofsted ratings, also known as Ofsted grades, which are classified as follows:
1. Outstanding (Grade 1) → the quality of teaching, learning, and care is outstanding.
2. Good (Grade 2) → the quality of teaching, learning, and care is at least good.
3. Requires Improvement (Grade 3) → the quality of teaching, learning, and care require improvement.
4. Inadequate (Grade 4) → the quality of teaching, learning, and care is inadequate.
Although these ratings are the main focus of an Ofsted report, the inspector will always elaborate on their findings in more detail. For example, they might explain how a childminder or school has worked to address the problems that were flagged up in a previous inspection. This is why it’s important to read the whole report carefully, and not just focus solely on the ratings.
Ofsted childminders on Yoopies?
Childminders on Yoopies will indicate on their profile whether or not they are Ofsted registered.
In order to view this, first begin by searching for childminders near your location by entering your postcode. The available childminders will then appear on the search page, at which you point can choose the profiles that best suit your current needs and requirements. Once here, you’ll then be able to see which childminders have declared themselves as Ofsted registered and find the Ofsted reports of those childminders by searching their Ofsted number online.
As an extra level of assurance, however, we always advise parents to double-check that the childminder is indeed Ofsted registered before finalising their decision. You can do this by verifying their unique Ofsted number online, or by asking them to bring the original copy of their current Ofsted report, and indeed any other relevant documents (such as their DBS report), to the initial interview.
After this, you’ll then officially be good to go!