Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy in on providing support for childcare costs incurred from providers not registered with Ofsted.

The Department for Education provides support with the costs of childcare through the early education entitlement for two-, three- and four-year-olds, delivered by Ofsted registered providers. This support is worth around £3 billion a year.

The government only funds registered providers so that minimum safeguards and standards, which are set out in regulations, are assured and children kept secure and safe from harm. Providers who deliver the early education entitlement are registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and are subject to a rigorous registration process. They are also subject to inspection that covers quality assessment as well as compliance with basic standards.