Ofsted has changed the way it publishes complaints made against childminders and other childcare providers in England such as day nurseries, pre-schools and after-school clubs on the Early Years and Childcare Registers.

The changes were made in May and Ofsted is now publishing complaints about providers on its website, as part of the registered information about a provider, instead of using inspection reports. Ofsted said this was so parents received up-to-date and relevant information, and did not have to wait until the next inspection.

But the children’s inspectorate said it will not publish information about malicious or unfounded complaints where no action was required, and that it will remove information about a complaint from our website five years after the closure of an investigation. Ofsted said the change was to “provide the right balance between the interests of parents and children, and those of the provider”.

Since 2004 Ofsted has included information about complaints against registered providers in its inspection reports. But following consultation with the childcare sector in 2006, it only included information about complaints where Ofsted or the provider had to take action to meet legal requirements.

The children’s inspectorate decided to update its complaints commitment again after a recent consultation with providers and parents.

A factsheet, Childcare – Concerns and complaints about childminders and childcare providers, giving information about the changes is on the website www.ofsted.gov.uk.