Guidance

Applying to work for up to 50% of the time on non-domestic premises (EYA)

Apply to work on non-domestic premises for up to half of your time.

Applies to England

Who this guidance is for

This guidance applies to those who are applying to be, or who are registered as:

  • a childminder
  • a provider of childcare on domestic premises

Overview

If you wish to spend up to 50% of your time (that is, the hours and/or time you spend providing childcare each year) running a childcare provision from non-domestic premises under your registration, you must apply using this form. Non-domestic premises include places like nurseries, church halls, parts of a school or community centres. You need to follow the same requirements as your original registration.

You do not have to pay an extra application fee, and can submit the EYA form when you submit your main application or once you are registered.

We will need to approve your non-domestic premises before you can work there. However, you can still offer childcare at your existing premises until the non-domestic premises are approved. You do not need to seek approval for outings to non-domestic premises.

If you are only registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register

You can provide childcare on non-domestic premises for up to 50% of your time without applying. However, you cannot offer Ofsted-registered childcare from the non-domestic premises unless you have applied and we have given approval.

How you organise your time

You can decide how you will divide your work between the different settings, as long as you only spend up to 50% of your time working on non-domestic premises. For example, you can work from different settings on a daily basis, or on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. However, you must describe how you will divide the work between each setting in your application.

If you want to spend more than 50% of your time operating from non-domestic premises, you will need to register separately with us as a provider of childcare on non-domestic premises. It is an offence to provide this care for more than 50% of the time without our approval.

Before you apply

The premises must be ready to use as soon as we grant approval and must provide a suitable environment in which to care for children. You must have all the necessary arrangements in place at the premises as set out in the ‘Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage’ and the childcare registration requirements.

We will ask if you have checked whether you need planning permission from your local authority to operate from the new premises.

You will need:

  • details of your current registration or your main application reference number
  • details about the non-domestic premises where you want to work and how you propose to split your time between the 2 premises

How to apply

The EYA form should be completed by the main applicant, registered person, or the nominated individual if part of an organisation.

Application form for childminders and providers of childcare on domestic premises to seek approval to operate from non-domestic premises

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

You should scan or photograph the completed form and send it with your main application reference number or your unique reference number (URN), to enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. If you need any help completing this form or if you would like an accessible version, please email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

After you apply

Once we have reviewed your application we will contact you to let you know if this has been approved or not. If approved, you will receive an updated certificate in the post. You will need to display your certificate at the premises where you are offering childcare.

Tell Ofsted about any other changes

The changes you must tell us about are set out in the ‘Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage’ and the childcare registration requirements. This includes telling us about any changes that affect your childcare.

Published 2 August 2022