Liverpool City Council - Childcare regulations

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Childcare regulations

Childcare Regulations Update

Over the next 18 months we will see the beginnings of the changes to the regulatory framework for childcare providers. The Sure Start Services team will be rolling out a series of information and training sessions across the city. These sessions are to introduce these changes and prepare childcare providers to work to the new framework.

We aim to keep childcare providers informed of training and briefing sessions via the Sure Start Service Monthly Mailout. This is sent out to all registered childcare providers and can be viewed on our news and events page. This page is regularly updated.

The Childcare Act 2006 will introduce a number of changes to the regulatory framework which include:

  • new duties for local authorities
  • new legal frameworks for inspection and regulation
  • a focus for the delivery of quality integrated care and education through streamlined frameworks
  • the introduction of proportionate and risk based regulation.              

Other changes include the creation of the new OFSTED as the current directorate takes on additional regulatory responsibilities.

The new Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills will continue to be known as OFSTED but will have responsibility for:

  • Regulation and inspection of childcare 
  • Regulation and inspection of social care for children and young people 
  • Inspection of CAFCASS 
  • Response to serious incidents 
  • Childrens Rights Director.              

More information about the roles and responsibilities of OFSTED can be found on www.ofsted.gov.uk

The new framework will introduce:

  • The Early Years Register (EYR). This includes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the framework which will cover most providers. Caring for children from birth to the start of key stage 1 (Five years) is also included.

  • The Childcare Register (CR). A set of requirements which all those on the register must meet.            


The Childcare Register has two parts and is voluntary for:

  • Nannies and home childcarers
  • Those exempt from registration on the Early Years Register
  • Activity based provision
  • Providers for children aged over 7 years.            

(Providers can register on the voluntary part of the childcare register from April 2007.)

The Childcare Register is also compulsory for:

  • Group care and childminders caring for children from the end of Early Years Foundation Stage to 7 years            

(Note. The compulsory element will not be introduced until September 2008.)

For people who choose to register, there is a set of requirements which must be met and include:

  • the people providing the care
  • the premises on which the care is taking place 
  • the way in which the childcare is provided.            

Registration will mean providers:

  • Are eligible for government-directed financial support - childcare tax credits
  • Are able to link with schools offering extended provision
  • Comply with common standards offering reassurance to parents 
  • May be able to receive support from the local authority.            

Applications for registration may be made from 06 April 2007 direct to Ofsted.

The preferred form of application is online via the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk.

For more information about the forthcoming changes or the new childcare registers please contact the Early Years Registration Officer Nicky Walsh on 0151 225 4916 or by email nicky.walsh@liverpool.gov.uk.

Keeping Children Safe

It is important to remember that safeguarding children and young people is everyone's responsibility.

All childcare providers must make the protection of children and young people their priority. Each childcare setting must implement an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure and ensure that all staff heve been given copies of these policies and procedures as part of their induction and, that they are explained to, and accessible to all parents. 

Liverpool Sure Start Services offer comprehensive training to support childcare providers in meeting their safeguarding duties and responsibilities. For further information on training courses refer to Early Years' training directory. 

A guide for childcare providers in Liverpool 'Your responsibilities when you have concerns about a child' is also available as a hard copy or as a pdf to download.

Further information regarding the Liverpool Safeguarding Children Board Safeguarding procedures manual is available from www.safeguardingboard.liverpool.gov.uk 

Read our Safeguarding of Children And Young People guidance leaflet (PDF [1.4Mb] opens in new window)  

Safeguarding Audit 2007 Childminders: Safeguarding Audit 2007 Childminders (MS Word [81Kb] opens in new window) 

Safeguarding Audit 2007 Daycare: Safeguarding Audit 2007 Daycare (MS Word [105Kb] opens in new window)