Business information for childcare providers

EYFS 2017

In April 2017 a revised EYFS 2017 came into force. There is also a one-page guide available that details the changes.

Local authority categorisation of childcare settings

Local Authority Categorisation of Childcare Settings (PDF, 86KB)

Starting a new childcare business

If you are thinking about opening your own Day Nursery, Pre School, Out of School or Holiday Club please email the Cheshire East Early years and Childcare Team and provide details of your business proposal. Your enquiry will be passed to a Childcare Development Officer who can offer pre Ofsted registration support and guidance.

Holiday and after school providers

Information for providers of out of school childcare for children aged four years and over can be found on the Out of School Alliance website.

The Out of School Alliance offers information about setting up and running out of school clubs such as breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs and playschemes.

Early Years’ qualification list

The Early Years’ Qualification List is a  tool designed to help those delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to identify which qualifications are considered full and relevant

New early year providers

New Early Year Providers can register their details to enable the Family Information Service to create an account on the Provider Portal. This will enable you to promote your Childcare service and keep your information up to date on the Cheshire East Live Well directory.

Data protection

• Introduction to Data Protection
• Data Protection Fee
• Registration FAQ
• Security
• Education and Childcare

Free nursery milk

Every child under the age of five is entitled to a free 189ml serving of milk whilst in attendance at a registered daycare provider for two or more hours a day. The Government’s Nursery Milk Reimbursement Unit (NMRU) manages the Nursery Milk Scheme.

Ofsted registration

Ofsted provides information about becoming a registered childcare provider.

Researching childcare needs in your area

When you are thinking about starting up a new childcare business it is always useful to ‘understand the market’.

• Childcare Sufficiency Assessment
• Live Well Cheshire East
• How to find childcare in Cheshire East

HMRC  webinar

• Getting payroll information right: Find out how providing accurate employee information to HMRC is important and can save time in this interactive employer webinar. Book 'Payroll information' here

Other useful links

• Foundation Years from pregnancy to age 5
• Disclosure and Barring Service
• Information sharing (advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services)
• Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
• The statutory framework for the early years foundation stage 2017
• Department for Education
• ACAS (employment / HR advice and guidance)
• Charities Commission
• Skills Active (Playwork)
• Early years compliance handbook