The Childcare (Early Years Register) Regulations 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision about the early years register of childminders and other providers of childcare which is maintained by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (“the Chief Inspector”) under Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006. The early years register is for the compulsory registration of certain childcare provided for children from birth up to the 1st September following their fifth birthday.

Regulation 3, with Part 1 of Schedule 1 (for childminders), and Part 1 of Schedule 2 (for other providers of childcare), prescribes the requirements which the Chief Inspector must be satisfied are met in order for an application for registration in the early years register to be granted. The requirements include that the applicant and others who will be in contact with children are suitable.

Regulation 4, with Part 2 of Schedule 1 (for childminders), and Part 2 of Schedule 2 (for other providers of childcare), prescribes certain information which must be included with an application for registration. This includes information about the applicant such as their employment history, qualifications and training, and information about the childcare they propose to provide.

Additional requirements are imposed on certain people applying to be registered (as a result of section 96(5) of the Act) as providers of childcare other than childminding, even though they are to provide childcare on domestic premises.

An Impact Assessment has been produced for these Regulations and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website www.opsi.gov.uk.