GovWire

This guidance is for:

• childminder assistants
• people living or working with a childminder
• people living or working on premises where childminding takes place
• committee members
• other people associated with Ofsted-registered childcare

Even if you dont provide childcare yourself, Ofsted may need to check you if you live or work with a childminder, or if you become part of an organisation that looks after children.

We need to know about you to make sure that everyone who is legally responsible for the childrens care, and anyone aged 16 or over who will care for or come into contact with children, is suitable.

Living or working with a childminder

Ofsted needs to check you if youre 16 or over and you live or work in the home where the childminder will care for children. This includes if you:

• are a household member that is, you live with a current or prospective Ofsted-registered childminder or you live on the premises where the childminding takes place
• work regularly for a current or prospective Ofsted-registered childminder during childcare hours, for example as a cleaner
• want to work as a childminders assistant

Household members

We need to check you even if you only live there for some of the time. For example, if:

• youre studying at university but come back during the holidays
• you stay in the childminders home regularly (such as if you split your time between 2 households)

This applies even if you live elsewhere most of the time or are not there during childcare hours.

Visitors

The childminder is responsible for you while you are in the home and must ensure there is no unsupervised contact with the children.

We do not normally need to check you if:

• you are a frequent visitor (for example, you are a relative or friend who comes round for lunch once a week)
• you stay overnight with a childminder occasionally (for example, a friend sleeping over)
• youre doing building work or repairs in the childminders home
• youre working in the home outside childcare hours, so there are no children there (for example, cleaning in the evenings or at weekends)

This guidance also applies to those living or working with someone who is registered with Ofsted to provide childcare on domestic premises.

If you join an organisation that provides childcare

We may need to check you if you become part of an Ofsted-registered organisation that provides childcare.

What you should do

If you live or work with a childminder or on premises where the childminding takes place

The childminder will need to use the Childminders: report new adults in the home service.

Each person will need an enhanced DBS check with barred lists.

Other types of childcare provider

If you are joining a daycare, in a relevant role, you must apply to register with Ofsted.

If you are the nominated individual for the daycare you must also tell us about changes to people.

Each person will need an enhanced DBS check with barred lists.

After you send us your information

Ofsted will carry out suitability checks and contact you directly for more information.

Caring for children

We will send you a suitability letter once we have finished our checks. If you will be caring for children as part of your role, you cannot be included in the ratios, or work unsupervised, until you have this letter. This applies to:

• childminder assistants (including assistants in childcare on domestic premises)
• the nominated individual, directors, partners, and committee members

Contact Ofsted

If you have any questions, you can get in touch with us at:

enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Contact form
Telephone: 0300 123 1231