Early Years

Early years care in the Velocity Interoperability Network is care given to a child below the age at which schooling begins, whether in a nursery, a pre-school, an early years centre or by a registered childminder. Since 6 September 2026 it may be provided only by a provider entered on the register kept by the Children and Families Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network.

Registration is not a recommendation. It records that the Department has satisfied itself that a provider meets the six registration standards, or that it meets them subject to stated conditions and a date by which those conditions must be discharged. A parent or carer choosing a provider should read the terms of its registration and its most recent inspection report, and should visit before deciding.

46

Providers on the register at establishment

2,414

Registered places for children under five

3,780

Children under five resident in the Network

1,844

Places taken up during the transition period

The register. Forty-six providers were entered on the register at establishment, offering 2,414 places at the six principal sites of the Network. The twelve largest, by places offered, are set out below. The full register is sent on request to contact@children.gov.vin and is republished on this site whenever a provider is added, removed or made subject to a condition.

The registration standards. A provider must meet all six standards to be registered without conditions. A provider that fails a standard at inspection is given a date by which it must comply; if it does not comply by that date the Department may limit the places it offers, may attach further conditions or may remove it from the register.

1. Safe premises

Rooms, outdoor space, equipment and access are safe for the ages of the children cared for. Premises are checked before registration and at every inspection.

2. Suitable staff

Every adult working with children is identified, referenced and checked against the Department's safeguarding record before starting work, and each provider names one person as its designated safeguarding officer.

3. Adults to children

One adult to three children under the age of two; one adult to four children aged two; one adult to eight children aged three and over. A provider may not open below these ratios.

4. A record for each child

The provider keeps a record of each child's attendance, care, food, sleep, accidents and any concern raised, and makes it available to the parent or carer on request and to the Department on demand.

5. Food and rest

Children are offered food and drink suitable to their age at set times, allergies and dietary needs are recorded and observed, and children under the age of three have a place to sleep.

6. A safeguarding procedure

The provider has a written procedure for raising a concern with the Department, every member of staff has read it, and it is given to parents and carers on enrolment.

Inspection. Inspection of registered providers begins on 21 September 2026. Every provider is inspected within its first year of registration, and thereafter at intervals set by the outcome of the previous inspection. An inspection following a concern is carried out without notice.

Applying for a place. The steps below apply to a parent or carer seeking early years care at any site of the Network.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the register

   The register records every provider entitled to offer early years care in the Network, the site at which it operates, the places it offers and the terms of its registration. The twelve largest providers are listed on this page; the full register is sent on request.

2. 2

   Step 2: Approach the provider directly

   The Department does not allocate places. Write to the provider you have chosen, ask whether a place is available for your child's age group and ask to visit before you decide.

3. 3

   Step 3: Ask to see the last inspection report

   A registered provider must give the report of its most recent inspection to any parent or carer who asks for it. Reports are also published on this site as they are completed.

4. 4

   Step 4: Enrol the child

   The provider records the child's name, age, health needs, allergies and the adults entitled to collect the child, and gives you its safeguarding procedure. Tell the provider of any change to these details as it arises.

5. 5

   Step 5: Tell the Department if you cannot find a place

   Write to the Department if no registered provider at your site can offer a place for your child. The Department records unmet demand by site and age group and reports it in the quarterly statistical release.

Becoming a registered provider. A person or organisation wishing to offer early years care in the Network should write to the Department. The Department sends the registration form and the six standards in full, visits the premises, checks the suitability of every adult who will work with children, and decides within eight weeks of the visit. A provider may not accept children before the decision is made.

A concern about the care given by a registered provider should be raised with the Department in the same way as any other concern about a child; see Safeguarding. The number of places registered and taken up is reported quarterly; see Statistics. Enquiries may be sent to contact@children.gov.vin.