Guidance

Report a serious childcare incident

Ofsted-registered childminders, nannies, nurseries and other daycare must use this service to report significant events affecting their childcare within 14 days.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 19 February 2020
• Last updated: 19 August 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England

Who this service is for:

This service is for Ofsted-registered:

• childminders
• nannies
• nurseries
• other daycare providers

What you must tell Ofsted about

You must tell us about:

• an allegation of serious harm or abuse committed either at the premises or elsewhere by people who:
  • live on the premises
  • work on the premises
  • look after children on the premises
• the disqualification of the registered provider, an employee or someone living on the childcare premises (see guidance on how to waive disqualification)
• any significant event that may affect someone’s suitability to look after children, or be in regular contact with children (for instance, health changes or involvement with the police or social services)
• events that might affect the condition and safety of the premises or the quality of childcare offered, or lead to ongoing closures (such as a fire or flooding)
• the death of a child while in your care
• a child’s serious accident, injury or illness while being looked after, including food poisoning affecting at least 2 children
• the death of, or a serious accident or injury to, anyone else on the premises (unless you only look after children from birth to the age of 5)

Things you do not need to tell us about

You do not need to tell us about:

• minor injuries
• general hospital appointments
• routine treatments by a doctor
• any confirmed case of COVID-19 affecting a child or member of staff
• your setting closing, as long as there’s no significant effect on how you provide childcare
• going on holiday, unless you have already been notified of a visit during this time

Minor injuries include:

• sprains, strains and bruising
• cuts and grazes
• wound infections
• insect and animal bites

Read more information on what we see as minor injuries.

How to tell Ofsted

You will fulfil your legal requirements if you submit the online form within 14 days. It will take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

To complete this, you’ll need to have:

• your reference number
• the childcare address
• details of the incident and those involved

After you give us information

Ofsted may:

• review information we hold about your registration
• look for records of previous serious incidents and how we assessed risk
• talk to you about it at your next inspection
• contact you to discuss the incident
• carry out an inspection or visit

Other changes to your registration

Tell Ofsted about updates to your registration, such as changes to your address, at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

View guidance on making other changes, such as adding or removing someone from your registration.

Published 19 February 2020
Last updated 19 August 2022 + show all updates

1. 19 August 2022

   Clarified the 'Things you do not need to tell us about' section, including holidays and setting closures.

2. 21 February 2022

   As of 21 February, registered providers no longer need to notify us of COVID-19 cases in their setting. Also clarified guidance on what providers need to tell us about.

3. 11 November 2020

   Link to specific guidance on COVID-19 incidents added.

4. 25 September 2020

   Added information about reporting confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and any related closures.

5. 19 February 2020

   First published.