The Childcare (Childminder Agencies) (Registration, Inspection and Supply and Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2014

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision relating to the registration and inspection of childminder agencies and the supply and disclosure of information by childminder agencies about childcare providers registered with them.

Part 2 of the Regulations makes provision about registration as a childminder agency under Chapters 2A and 3A of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). Regulation 3 prescribes the requirements which must be satisfied for an application for registration as an early or later years childminder agency to be granted by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (“the Chief Inspector”). These include requirements as to the suitability of the applicant and other personnel who make up the registered person. Regulation 4 prescribes the information which must be included with an application for registration. Regulations 5 and 6 deal with the content of certificates of registration issued to a childminder agency and regulations 7 and 8 prescribe the fee which must accompany an application for registration as an early or later years childminder agency respectively. Regulations 9 to 11 provide for annual fees which must be paid by those registered as an early or later years childminder agency.

Part 3 of the Regulations makes provision about the persons who must be notified where a childminder agency is to be inspected.

Part 4 of the Regulations makes provision for the disclosure by a childminder agency of prescribed information about childcare providers who are registered with that agency under Chapter 2, 3 or 4 of Part 3 of the 2006 Act. Regulations 14 and 15 prescribe the information which must be provided to the Secretary of State, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the relevant local authority respectively when a childminder agency grants a person's application for registration or takes any other prescribed step in relation to that person's registration. Regulation 16 prescribes the information which a childminder agency may arrange to be made available to assist parents or prospective parents in choosing an early or later years provider. Regulation 17 prescribes the information which a childminder agency may arrange to be made available for the purpose of protecting children from harm or neglect. Regulation 18 prescribes the information which a childminder agency, when requested, must provide to child protection agencies and police forces for the purposes of protecting children from harm or neglect. Regulation 19 prescribes the information which a childminder agency must, when requested, provide to a prescribed person or body for the purpose of protecting children from harm or neglect. Regulation 20 prescribes the information which a childminder agency must, when requested, provide to a parent whose child is being cared for by a person who is registered with that childminder agency, either for the purpose of assisting the parent in choosing childcare provision, or to protect children from harm or neglect.

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.