Today (9 July), Ofsted has published its latest data on early years and childcare providers in England.  

Change in provider numbers  

The overall number of providers registered with Ofsted at 31 March 2026 is 59,676, a fall of 720 or 1% since 31 March 2025.  

 This is split into:  

• Childminders*:24,667 childminders registered with Ofsted (2% decline since March 2025)  

*This includes the recently introduced category of childminder without domestic premises, of which 63 were registered at 31 March 2026 (up from 13 the previous year).    

• Childcare on non-domestic premises: 27,935 (1% increase since March 2025)  
• Childcare on domestic premises:  211(2% decline since March 2025)  
• Home childcarer: 6,863 are voluntarily registered on the Childcare Register (7% decline since March 2025)  

• Childminder agencies: At 31 March 2026 there were 1,781 childminders and 13 childcare on domestic premises providers registered with four childminder agencies, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.  

Early years places 

On 31 March 2026, there were 1.31million childcare places offered by providers registered on the EY. Ofsted-registered childminders provide 149,000 (11%) of these places.   

Ofsted inspections 

Ofsted carried out inspections of 1,723 providers between 10 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, including 1,027 childminders. Across all evaluation areas, a higher proportion of Ofsted-registered childminders achieved “expected standard” or above when compared to all provider types.

Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges, Head of Coram PACEY comments: 

“We are pleased to see that the rate of decline in Ofsted-registered childminder numbers has slowed to 2% between March 2025 and March 2026, compared to 5% the previous year. That progress should be recognised and celebrated.  

“We should also celebrate childminders’ achievements in adapting to and implementing the new Ofsted inspection framework, with Ofsted-registered childminders achieving the highest proportion of top grades across all areas – a testament to their expertise and commitment to providing high-quality care and education. 

“However, these positives must not distract from the fact that the pressures facing childminders remain significant. We know that most childminders stay in the profession because they are passionate about their work and they persevere despite the growing challenges. They are driven by supporting children, families and their local communities, and a deep sense of commitment to those they care for. We must also recognise the enormous contribution of the childminding community itself to campaign to raise the profile of childminding and call for change, alongside supportive local authorities whose good practice and support is increasing or sustaining childminder numbers amid the national decline. But goodwill and dedication alone cannot sustain a profession.  

“The loss of more than 600 Ofsted-registered childminders over the past year represents more than 600 small businesses closing their doors, experienced early years professionals leaving the workforce, and thousands of families having to find alternative childcare. Given the unique and vital role childminders play in supporting children’s outcomes, enabling parents to work, and strengthening local communities, this continued decline is deeply concerning. 

“If the Government does not implement an ambitious, long-term national strategy for childminders, numbers will continue to fall. That strategy must tackle the key issues driving people out of the profession: removing the unfair rule that prevents childminders from claiming funded hours for related children, reforming funding so that rates properly reflect the ratios childminders work within, and taking meaningful action to ensure childminders are recognised, valued and included as an integral part of the education and early years system. 

“We want all children, families and communities to have the chance to experience the ‘Magic of Childminding‘ and we are determined through the work we do and with the support of the community to ultimately reverse the decline of Ofsted-registered childminder numbers. This is our key mission.”