School Compass
How to use the childminder directory
Consented Ofsted listings, grades where published, and a vetting checklist for wrap-around care — not a ranked list.
How to read the childminder directory
This is a consented Ofsted directory plus checklist — wrap-around and home-based care, not the nursery Ofsted comparison table.
What this can tell you
- Names and addresses childminders have consented to publish.
- Ofsted grade and report link where available.
- Practical vetting prompts for phone calls and visits.
What this is not telling you
- Phone numbers (not in Ofsted’s public consented file).
- Availability, fees, or whether they are the right fit for your child.
- A ranked list of “best” childminders.
Fair conclusions you can draw
- Who to contact first based on location and published grade.
- Which checklist items to cover before you decide.
How to use this for decisions
- Shortlist a few settings that look plausible on paper and on the map.
- Treat gaps and older inspections as prompts to ask, not automatic rejects.
- Visit (or watch a normal session), talk to staff, and weigh fit for your child.
- Keep notes on what you saw — printed packs are for that, not for league ranks.
Reading the inspection précis
- Excerpts are verbatim from the latest usable Ofsted or ISI report PDF.
- Positives and improvements are what inspectors wrote — not our summary of quality.
- A short précis cannot replace reading the full report in context.
- Academy conversion letters and admin PDFs are skipped when a real inspection exists.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers parents ask before they shortlist.
Why are only some childminders listed?
Only childminders who have consented to appear in the Ofsted public register data we harvest are shown. Absence from the directory does not mean a childminder is unsuitable.
How do I choose between nearby childminders?
Use distance and published Ofsted grades as a first filter, then meet the childminder, ask about routines and ratios, and check references — the directory is a starting point, not a ranking.