From 28 January, childminders, nurseries and all other childcare providers must use the online notification form to notify Ofsted of significant events and no longer notify Ofsted via phone or email.
Ofsted said, ‘We want to make sure we can act on the information that is shared with us as quickly as possible, without any undue delay. The form is accessible and can be used on mobile and tablets, so that you are able to submit information swiftly and at ease.’
Providers should notify Ofsted as soon as practical, and in any case within 14 days of a notifiable event happening. For full guidance on what is classed as a notifiable event or serious incident, settings can refer to the early years and childcare compliance handbook.
When notifying Ofsted using this form, providers will need to have to hand:
- unique reference number (URN)
- childcare address
- details of the incident and details of those involved
Oftsted will confirm receipt of the information and providers can also download a copy for their records. Early years settings may be contacted for further information.
To tell Ofsted if there is a Covid-19 incident at your childcare setting, follow the same process as reporting a serious incident, but add the step below, as set out in Tell Ofsted if you have a COVID-19 incident at your childcare business - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Complete the service as you normally would, until you get to the page asking 'What type of incident do you want to report?'
- Select the option ‘Child or member of staff testing positive for COVID-19, or closure due to COVID-19’.
- On the ‘Details of incident’ page, provide information, including the dates of positive Covid tests and the number of children and staff present at the setting at the time of the suspected case.
Further information is available about the accessibility for this service, for people who may not be able to use a form.