Inspecting registered childcare providers: information for parents
How Ofsted regulates childcare and what parents should do if they have concerns about their provider.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guide includes information about:
- how Ofsted regulates childcare
- what information is available for parents and carers when choosing childcare, such as Ofsted inspection reports
- how to raise concerns about a childcare provider
Updates to this page
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17 July 2025 Updated the process we will follow if we receive an anonymous complaint about a provider.
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21 November 2024 Updated to reflect how we handle anonymous complaints.
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3 February 2021 Updated the 'Inspections' section to reflect the 6-year inspection window and added links to published guidance.
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15 December 2016 Updated links and dates
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11 March 2015 'What will you do with the information?' section updated for first paragraph,
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15 January 2013 First published.
Update history
2025-11-07 09:30
Updated to reflect inspection processes under the renewed inspection framework.
2025-07-17 09:30
Updated the process we will follow if we receive an anonymous complaint about a provider.
2024-11-21 09:30
Updated to reflect how we handle anonymous complaints.