Guidance

Rutland childminder agency closure: information for childminders

This guide is for childminders who are choosing to move to Ofsted following the closure of Rutland childminder agency.

This guidance was withdrawn on

New regulations now state that any childminder or childcare on domestic premises provider who was registered with a childminder agency at the time of its closure will automatically be registered with Ofsted. Please refer to our Childminder agencies: registration and suitability guidance for more information.

Applies to England

We have been informed by Rutland Early Years Agency Limited that they will close on 30 November. This guide provides the next steps for childminders who are choosing to register with Ofsted.

We will need to complete full application checks but are processing childminders who are moving from Rutland in a slightly different way. Please read the guidance below.

If you are ready to apply please submit your application and we will contact you.

Transferring childminder registrations

Your registration will not automatically transfer to Ofsted as you can choose to move to either Ofsted or another agency.

If you would like to register with us, you will need to submit a new application and undergo the required suitability checks. Once we have received and reviewed your application, we will contact you directly to explain the next steps.

If you experience problems in applying please email childminder.agencies@ofsted.gov.uk stating ‘Rutland application’ in the subject field.

Looking after children while applying to another childminder agency (CMA) or Ofsted

You can continue caring for children if you keep your current registration with Rutland open whilst you apply to join another childminder agency or Ofsted.

You will be covered by your current registration until Rutland officially closes. However, once Rutland has closed, you will become unregistered if you have not re-registered with another childminder agency or Ofsted.

DBS certificates

To register as a childminder with Ofsted you will need an enhanced DBS check with barred lists for a home-based role.

If you already have a DBS check with barred lists, for a home-based role, and you are on the DBS update service we may be able to accept this. As soon as you decide you would like to register with Ofsted, please email childminder.agencies@ofsted.gov.uk stating ‘Rutland application’ in the subject field. If you are not on the update service and need to apply for a new DBS please still email us straight away to enable us to get your application moving.

You do not need to send us your DBS certificate unless we specifically request this.

Health checks

To register as a childminder with Ofsted you will need to complete a health declaration form.

We may be able to accept a previous health check if it is dated within the last 6 months and you can confirm there has been no change to your health since the check was completed. Please email this to childminder.agencies@ofsted.gov.uk stating ‘Rutland application’ in the subject field. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We will always ask for a new health check if we have concerns.

Application fees

If you apply to register with Ofsted, you will need to pay a non-refundable annual registration fee. The amount you pay depends on the ages of the children you will look after. You can find details of the costs involved in the application process on our ‘Become a childminder or nanny’ page.

Contact us

If you experience problems in applying please email childminder.agencies@ofsted.gov.uk stating ‘Rutland application’ in the subject field.

Webinar for Rutland Agency childminders

Watch our webinar recording from 12 September 2023

You can also watch a recording of our last webinar.

Updates to this page

Published 12 September 2023
Last updated 14 September 2023 + show all updates
  1. Webinar details added.

  2. First published.

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