Early years and childcare: Ofsted's enforcement policy
Ofsted's policy on how we regulate childcare providers explains what we may do if a provider is not following the regulations.
Applies to England
Documents
Update history
2026-09-30 09:30
Updated to clarify the actions taken when requirements are not being met – when we serve a welfare requirements notice (WRN) and take enforcement action, and when we set actions.Corrected a typographical error regarding notification, to align with legislation.
2026-09-01 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’.
2025-11-07 09:30
See Summary of changes.
2024-11-01 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’.
2024-10-15 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’.
2024-04-05 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’.
2024-03-01 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’.
2023-11-30 09:30
See ‘Summary of changes’ document.
2023-06-20 12:55
See ‘Summary of changes’ document.
2022-03-01 09:44
Reviewed the content to make it more accessible and user-friendly (no change to our enforcement powers and general approach to regulation). Details in ‘Summary of changes’.