Glossary - Childcare
The definition of childcare provider types.
Childminder
A person who looks after children for more than two hours a day in their own home.
Home childcarer or nanny
Cares for children in the child’s own home.
Early years provision
A nursery or pre-school setting
Out of school provision
Out of school care such as breakfast and afterschool clubs or holiday club provision.
Childcare on domestic premises
Where four or more people work together in a home-based setting.
Early Years Register
Ofsted register for providers caring for children aged from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday. Providers on this register must meet the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The set of standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to five years old
Ofsted
The government department that registers, inspects and regulates services that provide education and childcare in England.
Ofsted Register
Anyone who cares for children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day in England must register with Ofsted unless they are exempt. There are two registers - Early Years register and Childcare register.
Early Years Register
Ofsted register for providers caring for children aged from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday. Providers on this register must meet the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Childcare register
This has two parts:
- Compulsory – for providers caring for children from 1 September after the child's fifth birthday up until their eighth birthday
- Voluntary – for providers caring for children aged eight and over, and other providers who are exempt from compulsory registration, such as nannies.
Disclosure and barring service (DBS)
The check carried out which helps to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children.