Compliance guidance

Childminder compliance
in England.

In England, most childminders are registered with Ofsted, or with a Childminder Agency, and must comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. Ofsted inspects Ofsted-registered childminders; Childminder Agencies quality assure their own registered childminders. Inspections can happen at any time and assess the quality of education, care, and safeguarding. Clariti applies all EYFS requirements automatically from your registered postcode.

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Regulator Ofsted or Childminder Agency
Who regulates you
Ofsted

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. It inspects Ofsted-registered childminders in England against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Childminders may also register with a Childminder Agency (CMA), in which case the CMA is responsible for quality assurance rather than Ofsted. Ofsted inspections are graded Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. An inadequate grade can result in suspension or cancellation of registration.

The frameworks that apply to you.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 2025

The statutory framework that sets the standards all registered childminders in England must meet. The EYFS childminder framework came into force on 1 September 2025. It covers learning and development requirements, welfare requirements, and safeguarding. Clariti maps all observations to the seven areas of learning within the EYFS.

Childcare Act 2006

The primary legislation requiring childminders in England to register with Ofsted or a Childminder Agency and to meet the requirements of the EYFS. Clariti's documentation is designed to evidence compliance with these statutory duties.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Playing and Exploring, Active Learning, and Creating and Thinking Critically. These three characteristics must be evidenced in children's learning records. Clariti includes them in every observation.

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

The statutory guidance on how organisations must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All childminders must have a named safeguarding lead. Clariti's safeguarding policy generation references this guidance directly.

Safer Recruitment and DBS

The EYFS requires safer recruitment practices and enhanced DBS checks for all those working with children. The 2025 framework includes updated reference and recruitment requirements. Clariti's training log tracks DBS renewal dates and alerts you when action is needed.

Paediatric First Aid

The EYFS requires at least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate to be present whenever children are in the setting. Clariti tracks certificate expiry and alerts you before it lapses.

Development Matters

Non-statutory curriculum guidance that supports practitioners in implementing the EYFS. Clariti uses Development Matters as a reference point for observation and planning.

UNCRC

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is referenced consistently across all Clariti documents for every UK nation.

What paperwork you need to have.

Policies and procedures

EYFS requires written policies covering safeguarding, health and safety, complaints, administration of medication, mobile phones and cameras, and more. Clariti generates every required policy with the correct English legislative references.

Risk assessments

Childminders must take reasonable steps to ensure safety and manage risks across the setting, outings, and activities. Risk assessments and safety checks should be proportionate to the setting, outings and activities, and reviewed regularly and when circumstances change. Clariti tracks all review dates and prompts you when a review is due.

Children's records

A full record for every minded child covering personal details, emergency contacts, permissions, and any relevant medical or dietary information. Clariti keeps all information connected and current.

Learning journeys and observations

Regular observations evidencing each child's progress across the seven areas of EYFS learning, including the Characteristics of Effective Learning. Clariti generates structured observations from your notes.

Training log

Evidence of qualifications, DBS checks, first aid certificates, and CPD. Renewal alerts mean nothing lapses before an inspection.

Self-evaluation

Ofsted expects childminders to be able to speak confidently about the quality of their provision. Clariti builds a continuous self-evaluation record from all activity on the platform.

Accident and incident records

All accidents and incidents must be recorded and, where required, reported to Ofsted and the local authority. Clariti provides structured recording and prompts where notification may be required.

How Clariti helps

Everything above, handled.

When you register with Clariti, your postcode tells the platform which nation you are in. Every document, framework reference, and legislative citation is applied automatically. You never need to know which framework applies. Clariti handles it and generates inspection-ready documents built specifically for England.

Nation-specific from day one
Your postcode determines your nation. Every document uses the correct frameworks and legislation for England automatically.
Inspection-ready documents
Policies, risk assessments, observations, care plans, and training records all generated to the standard inspectors expect.
Self-evaluation builds itself
Everything you complete feeds your self-evaluation automatically. Live gap indicators show exactly where your evidence needs attention.
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Common questions from English childminders

Ofsted-registered childminders must have a range of written policies, risk assessments, children's records, learning journeys, training logs, and accident and incident records. The EYFS sets out the specific requirements. During an inspection, Ofsted will want to see evidence that your documentation is current, setting-specific, and reflects your actual practice. Clariti generates all required documents to the standard Ofsted expects.
Yes. Since 2014, childminders in England have been able to register with a Childminder Agency (CMA) rather than directly with Ofsted. CMA-registered childminders are quality assured by their agency rather than inspected by Ofsted directly. Clariti supports childminders registered with either route, as both must comply with the EYFS.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework that all registered childminders in England must follow. It covers learning and development requirements for children from birth to five, welfare requirements, and safeguarding. The current EYFS childminder framework came into force on 1 September 2025. Clariti applies the 2025 framework automatically.
Ofsted does not guarantee a fixed inspection cycle. Inspection timing varies depending on registration date, previous outcomes, and risk. Ofsted inspections are unannounced. The safest approach is to maintain inspection-ready documentation at all times.
The EYFS requires at least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate to be present whenever children are in the setting. Paediatric first aid certificates are valid for three years. Clariti tracks your certificate expiry date and alerts you before it lapses, so you are never caught without a valid qualification.
Childminders in England must hold an enhanced DBS check. This must be renewed when required and childminders must inform Ofsted of any changes in their circumstances. The 2025 EYFS includes updated safer recruitment requirements. Clariti's training log tracks your DBS status and prompts renewal when it is due.

Further reading from the Clariti blog

Ofsted inspection preparation guide → Risk assessment guide → Policies guide →

Clariti covers all four UK nations. Read the compliance guide for:

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