A timely and effective registration process is essential to growing the childminding profession. For many childminders in England, delays to the Ofsted registration process can create a significant barrier to starting their childminding journey. Similar issues are also being reported by childminders applying to register assistants. Coram PACEY is working closely with Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve the application process, address common causes of delay and strengthen support for childminders and their assistants.

Childminder registration delays

While Ofsted aims to complete registrations within 12 weeks, we are hearing increasing reports of applications taking significantly longer. These delays can create uncertainty and financial pressures for prospective childminders, and risk discouraging people from entering the profession at a time when more home-based childcare places are urgently needed.

• Registration is taking longer than expected: While Ofsted aims to complete registrations within 12 weeks, we are hearing from applicants and local authorities experiencing delays of 16 weeks or much more.
• Delays are putting people off: Lengthy and unpredictable processes can discourage prospective childminders, leaving some feeling stressed and financially disadvantaged after investing in training or leaving previous employment.
• Local recruitment efforts are being undermined: Registration backlogs are making it harder for local authorities to attract new childminders
• Unnecessary administration and cost: Childminders are registering with agencies asa quicker route to get their businesses up and running with the intention to switch to Ofsted once registration is complete.
• The summer backlog is a recurring issue: We highlighted concerns that predictable seasonal pressures should be planned for, rather than addressed only once delays have built up.

Childminder assistant delays

Childminding assistants play an important role in helping childminders expand their businesses, offer more childcare places and maintain continuity of care. However, delays in the Ofsted suitability process are making it increasingly difficult for childminders to recruit and retain assistants.

Since September 2026, changes to the EYFS mean new assistants must receive confirmation that they are suitable before they can begin working in a setting. This makes timely processing even more critical. Where checks are delayed, childminders can face additional staffing costs, lost income, disruption to families and difficulties maintaining their childcare places.

How are we tackling childminder and assistant registration delays? 

We are calling for greater capacity, improved communication and a more efficient registration process, while maintaining the robust safeguarding checks that are essential to protecting children.

On an individual level, we have been supporting Coram PACEY members who have been affected by registration delays.

We are now calling for urgent action: Coram PACEY is urging Ofsted and the Department for Education to address the backlogs, review the registration process and invest in capacity, with an ambition to reduce the registration timeframe from 12 weeks to 8 weeks.

We are also gathering evidence directly from childminders and assistants about their experiences of registration, helping to build the case for meaningful improvements to the process. Our recent survey in collaboration with the Early Years Alliance demonstrated this, but we are now going further.

We have recently submitted Freedom of Information requests to Ofsted for unpublished data on registration timescales to get a clearer picture of what is happening in areas across England.

Get in touch with us

If you are experiencing issues around Ofsted registration process or would like to get in touch to share your views, please email our Policy Team.