DBS checks for childcare & early years
Childcare vetting works differently from schools. Registered early-years work is regulated activity with children, but who arranges the check, the checks on a childminder’s household, and the childcare disqualification rules are specific to this sector. This page covers what applies to nurseries, childminders and early-years staff.
Who gets checked, and by whom
Registered childminders and registered providers and managers have their suitability — including an Enhanced check with the Children’s Barred List — decided through Ofsted or a childminder agency, and must be cleared as suitable before they begin; they also have to join the DBS Update Service. [GOV.UK] For employed nursery staff on non-domestic premises, the registered provider obtains the DBS check for its staff. For childminding on domestic premises, everyone aged 16 or over living or working there must be part of the checks, even if they do not provide the childcare. [GOV.UK]
Childcare disqualification (specific to this sector)
Separately from the DBS check, the Childcare Act 2006 means a disqualified person must not provide, or be directly involved in managing, early-years or relevant later-years childcare. “Disqualification by association” — being disqualified because of someone you live with — applies to childcare in domestic settings(childminders), not to staff in schools; an Ofsted waiver can sometimes be sought. [GOV.UK]
The 2026 change for childcare
Registered childminders and providers are already in regulated activity (once is enough for registered childcare), so their own position is unchanged. The 1 September 2026 removal of the supervision exemption mainly affects supervised assistants and volunteers who help with the children often enough — they can now be in regulated activity even if supervised. [GOV.UK]
Childcare activity → frequency rule → likely route
| Role | Frequency rule | Likely route (confirm) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered childminder | Registered childcare = regulated activity (once is enough) | Enhanced + Children’s Barred List via Ofsted/agency; join Update Service |
| Nursery practitioner / early-years staff | Works with the children | Regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List (obtained by the provider) |
| Anyone aged 16+ in a childminder’s household | Lives or works on the domestic premises | Must be part of the suitability checks |
| Assistant or volunteer helping with the children | Since 1 Sep 2026, if the frequency/overnight condition is met (even if supervised) | Regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List |
| Giving a child personal or health care | Once is enough | Regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List |
| Cleaner or maintenance with no access to the children | No childcare activity | Usually Basic — confirm against the setting |
Worked examples
| The role | Likely direction (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Nursery practitioner working with under-fives | Regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List (via the provider) |
| Nursery apprentice working with the children | Regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List |
| Registered childminder (working from home) | Enhanced + Children’s Barred List via Ofsted/agency; household 16+ also checked |
| Volunteer helping once a term at a nursery event | Below the frequency threshold → not regulated activity; confirm |
| Cleaner at a nursery, no access to the children | Usually Basic |
| First-aider giving a child personal or health care | Once is enough → regulated activity → Enhanced + Children’s Barred List |
Not sure which level applies?
Our free DBS eligibility guidance checker walks you through the official criteria and points you to the guidance to confirm against. It is guidance, not a legal determination.
Open the DBS eligibility checker →Where Complys fits
Complys does not carry out DBS checks. For nurseries and childminders it helps keep the record that each check and suitability step was done, its date, and renewal reminders alongside your other EYFS and safeguarding evidence — within the official handling rules (see DBS record keeping & compliance). See also Complys for childcare.
FAQs
Who arranges the DBS check — the childminder, the nursery, or Ofsted?
For registered childminders and registered providers/managers, suitability (including the Enhanced check with the Children's Barred List) is decided through Ofsted or a childminder agency, and they must be cleared as suitable before they start; they also have to join the Update Service. For employed nursery staff on non-domestic premises, the registered provider obtains the DBS check for its staff.
Do the childminder's family members need checking?
Yes. For childminding on domestic premises, everyone aged 16 or over who lives or works there must be part of the suitability checks, even if they do not provide the childcare themselves. This household rule does not apply to nurseries on non-domestic premises.
Related DBS guides
- DBS in education & schoolsDBS checks for school staff, volunteers and contractors: teaching and other roles as regulated activity with children, the specified-place rule, and how the 1 September 2026 supervision change affects supervised school roles.
- Enhanced with barred list & regulated activityWhen a role needs an Enhanced DBS check with a children's or adults' barred-list check, what regulated activity means for each, and the 1 September 2026 change to regulated activity with children.
- DBS eligibility guidance checkerA free guided tool that helps UK employers work out which official DBS eligibility guidance to review for a role. Guidance only — it does not make a legal eligibility determination.
Official sources and further guidance
- DBS checks for childcare providers who register with Ofsted — GOV.UK / Ofsted
- Regulated activity with children (DBS guidance leaflet) — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework — GOV.UK / Department for Education
- Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 — GOV.UK / Department for Education
- Change to the definition of regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026 — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS / GOV.UK sources listed above (last reviewed 24 September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change — always confirm against the official sources.