In-depth guides to the primary legislation governing childcare registration, inspection and regulation in England — from the Childcare Act 2006 to the free entitlement framework, disqualification law and Ofsted’s statutory powers.
Every registered childcare provider in England operates under the Childcare Act 2006. We dissect the Act section by section — what it requires, what it enables and what it prohibits.
Who must register, on which register, under what conditions and with what consequences for non-compliance. A complete guide to the registration framework under the Childcare Act 2006.
Ofsted’s powers to issue notices, suspend and cancel registrations, prosecute providers and enter premises are all statutory. Here is the precise legal basis for each enforcement tool.
Certain convictions and orders automatically disqualify a person from working in childcare. We explain the full legal framework, the 2018 reform that abolished disqualification by association for households, and the waiver process.
The EYFS welfare requirements are not suggestions — they are legally binding obligations made under the Childcare Act 2006. We explain each requirement precisely, including the specific ratios, DBS rules and safeguarding duties.
The free childcare entitlements are legal rights, not policy gifts. We trace the statutory basis from the Childcare Act 2006 to the 2024 expansion to under-twos, and explain what providers are — and are not — legally required to offer.