News
Ofsted updated physical intervention guidance
This is guidance for childminders in England. References to the EYFS are linked to the childminder version. … read more
Harassment at work: what the new law means for early years providers
This is general information for providers in England. It is not legal advice. For a specific situation, take legal advice. … read more
Ofsted takes almost 10 weeks on average to approve childminder assistants, new figures reveal
Childcare.co.uk Freedom of Information investigation reveals approval times have risen significantly, with some applications taking more than two years to process. … read more
Early Years News November 2026
As the mornings turn crisper and we dive headfirst into the busiest stretch of the autumn term, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible resilience our early years community continues to show. … read more
Latest Childminder News and Updates
Here are the latest additions and updates to our Childminder Guides, Childminder Paperwork and other childminder resources. … read more
Suitability changes for childminders
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was updated from 1 September 2026. Paragraph 3.14 of the EYFS was revised to state, 'Childminders and any assistants must be cleared as 'suitable' by Ofsted or their CMA via the suitability letter before they can begin working in the setting.' … read more
Early Years News October 2026
Welcome to your Childcare.co.uk newsletter. As we tidy the gardens and collect autumn treasures ready for the cooler months ahead, let's dive into the latest news and updates for early years providers: … read more
Employment law changes to prepare for - from January 2027
There are some significant employment law changes coming into force from 1 January 2027, which employers should be preparing for now. … read more
Assistant registration delays impacting childminders
Childminders have been contacting Childcare.co.uk over the last few weeks to share their concerns about how the Department for Education's (DfE) changes to the suitability requirements are affecting them now and may impact them in the future. … read more
Updated Statutory Information Sharing Guidance from 30 September 2026
From 30 September 2026, there is a new legal duty to share information about children. This applies to certain organisations and professionals working with children. If you have information that could help keep a child safe or support their wellbeing, you may have a legal duty to share it with the appropriate organisation or professional. … read more