Early years provision on a school site
Ofsted have guidance for schools about when they must register their early years or childcare provision with Ofsted.
This factsheet sets out when a maintained or independent school must register its early years or childcare provision with Ofsted, where this provision is made directly by the school and managed by the governing body. There is also information about early learning or childcare provision on a school site not made directly by a school but through a private provider.
There is useful information for schools who are converting into academies to consider in respect of early learning and childcare provision offered on site. Finally, there are examples of how provision is run on school sites with clarification around the registration and inspection arrangements.
Schools who are considering developing or building either governor-run or working with a private provider to offer early years provision on the school site need to be aware of the DfE Change of use of playing field and school land legislation.
Governor run childcare settings – Impact and best practice
The Early Learning and Childcare Service has developed some ‘best practice’ top tips to highlight what works well when links are strong between schools and governor-run early years provision.
Support to develop a preschool on a school site
Schools can access business planning workshops and the resources of the team to create new pre-school and out of school provision. This includes a tailored package of support until registration and up to first inspection. Support could include advisory visits, peer to peer support, in house training, signposting to external training and partnership opportunities and self-serve support through:
• Twice monthly ‘provider updates’ via email.
• Accessing the self-service website
• Accessing the duty desk helpline on 0116 305 7136
• Attend termly ‘Information, Interaction and Inspiration briefing sessions’
Business Planning Workshop
This 2 hour workshop will give you the information you need to help you decide if you want to open a preschool on your school site. Each workshop covers all the necessary information needed to become a childcare provider. For more information, see the becoming a childcare provider page.
You will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your individual requirements with our Business Development Advisors and Childcare Sufficiency and Safeguarding Officers.
You can book your place through our training course website. You will need to pay by a PP card, Credit / debit card.
See our childcare business support pages for more information.