What is Ofsted?

Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) is the government body responsible for inspecting and regulating services that provide care for children and young people in England. Whether your activity business needs to register with Ofsted depends on the nature and duration of your provision.

You must register with Ofsted if you provide care for children under eight for more than two hours a day, and this care is not part of a school or a childcare facility already registered with Ofsted. This typically applies to holiday clubs, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and some all-day activity camps. Short, single-activity sessions (such as a one-hour swimming lesson or gymnastics class) are generally exempt, as the primary purpose is instruction rather than childcare.

If registration is required, you will need to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for children aged 0-5, or the Childcare Register requirements for children aged 5-7. This includes having appropriate policies, staff qualifications, ratios, premises checks, and safeguarding arrangements. Ofsted registration can also unlock access to tax-free childcare payments for parents, making your provision more attractive. Even if registration is not mandatory for your business, voluntary registration can be a competitive advantage.