Setting up a new day care provision in Sheffield

Ofsted Definitions

Childcare provider on domestic premises: Where care is provided on domestic premises with at least three other people. They can provide the care directly or employ people to work with them. The difference between childminding and childcare on domestic premises is the number of people involved. If four or more people look after children at any time they are providing childcare on domestic premises, not childminding.

Non-domestic premises: Caring for individual children in premises that are not someone’s home. These premises can range from converted houses to purpose built nurseries.
All the above must register to care for children under the age of eight, unless they are not required to do so and can choose to register to care for older children.

Ofsted

Ofsted has the statutory role of ensuring that providers of childcare are suitable and that they comply with meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and/or other registers.

Ofsted register the care provided for children on two registers: The Early Years Register (EYR) and The Childcare Register (CR). People can apply to join one or both registers at the same time. The Childcare Register has two parts – a compulsory part and a voluntary part. If providers are on more than one register they must meet the requirements for the different registers.

The Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook; is also a useful tool.

First steps

You will need a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage (September 2017). This is the framework for learning, development and care of children from birth to five years you will have to meet as a registered early years childcare provider.

You can get a copy from the Department for Education (see useful information at the end) or download it here.

Pre-registration Checklist

This checklist has been developed to ensure you have considered everything that you need before applying for Ofsted registration. 

The checklist can be downloaded here.

Help and Support

Ofsted and local authorities are working closely together to improve the quality of all settings to improve outcomes for children and their families. In Sheffield our available resources are being targeted towards those settings who are newly registered, had an Ofsted Inadequate or Requires Improvement inspection outcome and / or where there may have been complaints or safeguarding issues.

Working together – Our Best Start Strategy

Sheffield City Council and the NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCG) have developed a joint plan for the delivery of joined up, accessible and good quality services for children under 5 and their families from pregnancy onwards. It has been developed together with key partners, and builds on the existing relationships with Schools, Health, Private, Voluntary sector, Communities and parents and carers. This strategy is integral to the delivery of Public Health objectives and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

One of the objectives of the Best Start Strategy is to support organisations and child-minders across the sector to work together so that the early year’s workforce has the knowledge, skills and support needed to help children to reach their full potential. Best Start EYFS Quality Improvement Officers will be able to offer support to registered Childminders along with provider advice and support sessions and workshops held at Family Centres.

All Early Years Providers who are registered on the Sheffield Directory receive a regular E-Newsletter with news and information about training and events.

There are three Early Years Best Start Teams in the North, East and West of the City.

North
First Start Family Centre – Tel 0114 203 9307
EYBestStartTeam-North@Sheffield.gov.uk 

West
Primrose Family Centre – Tel 0114 205 2723
EYBestStartTeam-West@Sheffield.gov.uk 

East
Darnall Family Centre - Tel 0114 273 5008
EYBestStartTeam-East@Sheffield.gov.uk 

Ofsted and local authorities are working closely together to improve the quality of all settings to improve outcomes for children and their families. In Sheffield our available resources are being targeted towards those settings who are newly registered, had an Ofsted Inadequate or Requires Improvement inspection outcome and / or where there may have been complaints or safeguarding issues.

As soon as Ofsted notify us that a provider has been registered, a Quality Improvement Officer will contact them to discuss a pre-inspection support package

It is important that you list and regularly update your childcare business details on the Sheffield Directory

This is an online facility and the only directory in Sheffield where you will find the full picture of Ofsted registered childcare in the city.

When parents, carers or professionals are looking for Ofsted registered childcare information, leisure activities or family support information in Sheffield they are signposted to the Sheffield Directory. First Point also search this directory for information to pass on to people who do not.

Registering on the Sheffield Directory will also ensure you receive regular information, updates and training opportunities.

To add or update a listing go to Directory, at the top of the page, and click on the "add new Directory listing" button.

Sheffield has a multi-agency strategy for all organisations working with children and families.

Early help is about intervening early and as soon as a problem emerges for a child, young person or family. We know that early Intervention and managing problems at the lowest level achieves better outcomes for children.

Early Help is everyone’s business and success depends upon a full commitment to multi-agency working from all partner agencies. All partners in Sheffield have worked together to develop an Early Help framework and guidance for practitioners. Working together we will be able to ensure a consistent approach, application of levels of needs and agreed response frameworks. This will help us as we all strive to put children and young people at the heart of our work together and make a real difference to their lives.

Find out more and learn how to request help for families in your setting here.

Essential Training

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets out the requirements for training if you are planning to join the Early Years register.

Paediatric First Aid

You must complete a Pediatric First Aid training course which is relevant for workers caring for young children and babies. You can choose which organisation you want to provide the training, but the training must cover the course content as set out by St John Ambulance or British Red Cross Pediatric First Aid Training and renewed every 3 years. This is specified in the EYFS September (2017).

Safeguarding

It is an EYFS requirement that childcare providers must attend child protection training that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible neglect. It is the childcare provider’s responsibility to make sure that they access suitable training from an appropriate training provider.
The local authority currently provides free training for registered childcare providers that enable them to meet this requirement:

Online Safeguarding training

The following E-learning courses can be completed prior to registration:
• Child Abuse and Neglect (Core Introduction)
• Safe sleeping for babies

Face to Face Safeguarding training
You are eligible to apply for these courses once your registration has been approved
• Early Years Introduction to Safeguarding and Child Protection Training
• Early Years Advanced Safeguarding and Child Protection Training
• Early Years Advanced Refresher Safeguarding and Child Protection Training

Further information about this safeguarding training is available on the Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board website.

Childcare qualifications

A qualification called the ‘Early Years Educator’ was introduced in September 2014 which is relevant to everyone working in the early year’s sector with children from 0-5 years. The course will also prepare you to gain knowledge of children aged from 5-7 years and will be the most relevant qualification for those working with Early Years Children. You will be able to find more information regarding this online.

Ofsted Fees
Check Ofsted’s website for current prices

Health Declaration Fee
From £10.00 - £100.00, each GP sets their own fees if payable

DBS Checks (for everyone over 16 years)
Approximately £52.50 including Capita handling fee. It is recommended that you register for the Update Service.

Training Courses
Paediatric First Aid - Various prices
Safeguarding training - No Charge (Local Authority Training)
Professional Training - Various prices

Public Liability / Employer’s Liability Insurance
Morton Michel and PACEY are two examples of organisations which provide insurance packages, please check their websites for details.

Business documentation
You can buy documentation from a range of organisations.

Business Costs – Building Insurance
Buildings and contents Insurance

Business Costs – Data
Register with Information Commissioner's Office and register as a data controller if you:
• Keep extensive or sensitive information about the children you care for on your computer or take digital photographs of the children in your care.
• Use a computer and are processing any personal information or data via computer. By "processing", any use of a computer is included, including typing up records on a word processor, developmental observation records and the usage of CCTV in childcare settings.

Equipment Costs
• Toys / craft items
• High chair (where required)
• Pram / double buggy (where required)
• Play equipment for outdoors e.g. bikes, balls etc.,
• Cutlery / beakers / plates / toilet seat / step up stool etc.,
• Mobile Phone (please ensure you are aware of the safeguarding requirements)
• Camera

Food Safety Agency Information
If you are planning to start up a childcare business that provides food as part of your service, you do not need to register separately as a food business with your local authority. This will happen automatically when you register with Ofsted. This is part of the Government’s commitment to reduce the burden on business. Follow this link to the Food Standard Agency page for childminders.

Milk
Children under five are entitled to a third of a pint of free milk per child per day. Contact the Nursery Milk Reimbursement Unit (NMRU) for more information on how to apply (see useful contacts at the end).

Funded Early Learning (FEL) for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

Funded Early Learning (FEL) is funding paid to eligible early years providers by the Local Authority for delivering FEL sessions for some 2 year olds, as well as all 3 and 4 year olds. There are 3 different FEL entitlements:

• Up to 15 hours per week for eligible 2 year olds
• Up to 15 hours per week for all 3 and 4 year olds
• An additional 15 hours per week for eligible 3 and 4 year olds

You must be registered with Ofsted before you are eligible to offer FEL and you will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions set out in the Sheffield Code of Practice for FEL providers.

If you are interested in becoming a Funded Early Learning (FEL) Provider, contact the Childcare Planning team - childcareplanning@sheffield.gov.uk