What is the Registration and Inspection Advice Team?

The Registration and Inspection Advice Team is part of the Devon County Council Early Years and Childcare Service..

The Devon Early Years and Childcare Service aims to provide quality, accessible, affordable and sustainable childcare from 0-18 (19 for children with additional educational needs) in every neighbourhood in Devon.

What help is available?

The Registration & Inspection Advice Team can offer free help and support in setting up and maintaining a business offering childcare on domestic premises, childcare on non domestic premises and childminding in Devon.

Contact us on freephone 0800 056 36 66 or email for further details.

How can I proceed?

Starting from an initial enquiry:

The Registration and Inspection Advice Team can

• provide you with information regarding the Ofsted registration process
• advise on Ofsted regulations and requirements
• provide you with the government guidelines for childcare on domestic premises, childcare on non domestic premises and Childminding and an application pack for registration with Ofsted
• look at suitable premises for your  facility and carry out a site visit
• carry out a meeting prior to the Ofsted registration visit (carried out on a one-to-one basis for childcare on domestic and non domestic premises), group sessions for childminders are arranged across Devon)
• help you draw up documents relevant to your child care facility
• advise on policies and procedures
• put you in contact with your local District Co-ordinator to look at possible ways of funding and the need for childcare in your chosen area

I am already Ofsted registered - What help is available to me?

Registered childcare settings can receive the following help and advice from the Devon Early Years and Childcare Service

• on any new policies and procedures
• prior to an inspection visit from Ofsted
• regarding an action plan received by Ofsted after the inspection visit
• on how to market your services most effectively
• provide you with a training directory to help with initial or further training for you / your members of staff
• provide guidance on recruitment, retention and selection of staff
• provide training sessions on Ofsted updates and changes to regulations, held termly across Devon

Where can I find out more?

• Find out more about becoming a childminder
• Find out more about starting up a day care setting

Do I need to register?

Find out more about the different types of childcare that are required to register under Ofsted.

I do not need to register - Where can I get guidance from?

The Good Practice Guide for Childcare Providers exempt from Ofsted registration may provide you with useful information and guidelines.

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Return to the DISC page (Devon Information on Services for Children)