Guidance

Nanny: Ofsted requirements

Nannies registered with Ofsted must follow these requirements.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 9 August 2022
• Last updated: 7 March 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

Once you are registered with Ofsted you must meet these ongoing requirements. If you are inspected we will check that you are meeting these.

Child welfare and safeguarding

You must:

• make sure that the children being cared for are kept safe from harm
• make sure that you or at least one person providing the childcare has an appropriate first aid qualification
• make sure that enough people are always present on the relevant premises to ensure the safety and welfare of the children
• make sure that anyone under 17 providing childcare is always supervised by someone aged 18 or over
• not smoke, consume alcohol or drugs , or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while looking after children – including medication that may affect your ability to care for children
• not use corporal punishment, and you must make sure that no-one else providing the childcare uses corporal punishment on a child
• manage children’s behaviour in a suitable manner

You must make sure you know the procedures to follow to safeguard children from abuse or neglect.

Suitability

You and anyone else providing the childcare (for example, an assistant) must be suitable to work with children. You must have an effective system in place to ensure their suitability and make sure that anyone who provides childcare has obtained an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred lists.

Qualifications, training and insurance

You must have either:

• a minimum level 2 qualification in an area of work relevant to the childcare provided
• training in the common core skills

You must have public liability insurance. This covers death, injury, public liability, damage or other loss.

Health and safety

You must:

• make sure that the home and any equipment used for the childcare are suitable
• make sure that a child cannot leave the home, and no one can enter the home, without you being aware
• tell parents about any risks to a child’s health or safety in the home, any equipment used for the childcare and any activities that you provide

Organising your childcare

You must not refuse to look after a child or treat them less favourably than another child because of any of the following:

• the child’s race, home language, family background or gender
• the religion or belief of the child or the child’s parents
• any disability or learning difficulty that the child may have – this means that you must follow your legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 (for example, the provisions on reasonable adjustments)

Providing information

Giving parents information

You must give parents:

• information about Ofsted’s role in registering and regulating childcare

• a copy of your certificate of registration if they ask for it

You must show any notice of suspension to the parent for each child you look after.

Giving Ofsted information

You must tell Ofsted about any serious childcare incidents while you are looking after a child. You should do this as soon as possible but within 14 days. Find out what serious incidents you need to report and how to tell Ofsted.

You must also tell Ofsted about any changes to your full name, home address, telephone number, address where you provide childcare, working hours and number of children you look after.

Published 9 August 2022
Last updated 7 March 2023 + show all updates

1. 7 March 2023

   Removed the section on 'Looking after children on non-domestic premises'. Nannies cannot look after children on non-domestic premises.

2. 9 August 2022

   First published.