Closure of a childcare business

1. Notifying Ofsted: intention to resign

If you no longer wish to continue as an Ofsted registered childminder, you will need to notify Ofsted of your intention to resign. You should let Ofsted know by emailing enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk from the email address that you used for your application/registration.

2. Notifying the Local Authority of your intention to close

• You will need to inform Coventry Early Year Business, Sufficiency and Funding (BSF) team by emailing EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk
• An Early Years BSF Advisor will make contact with you and provide general advice and guidance in relation to the closure process.
• The BSF Advisor will also be able to provide advice in relation to the implications of any previous Capital or Revenue grant funding you may have received. You may, for example, be required to pay back, or return resources provided as part of any previous grant funding you received, in line with the terms of the Grant Aid Agreement. you must also ensure you return any resources loaned to you by the Early Years Team, such as, WellComm Pack, Blast, Chatter box, FCCERS books etc (Transfer of Assets). 
• If you deliver funded entitlement places you must also complete a Termination of Agreement to deliver Early Education Entitlement Places form
• Your provider details will be removed from the Family Information Directory website.
• Please ensure that you cancel any pre-booked training through the Coventry Early Years’ Training Directory by emailing eytraining@coventry.gov.uk

3. Informing parents and carers

It is important to remain transparent throughout the closure process.

• Inform Parents/Carers as soon as possible so that they can organise alternative childcare.
• Signpost Parents/Carers to the Family Information Directory to find alternative childcare
• If Parents/Carers require further support in finding a childcare place, they can contact a member of the Business, Sufficiency and Funding team by emailing  EYProviderfunding@coventry.gov.uk

4. Employed assistants

• You may wish to contact ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for free and impartial advice in relation to the rights and legal requirements of employed assistants.
• Signpost assistants to the Coventry childcare jobs website and other recruitment organisations to support them seeking alternative employment.

5. Additional considerations

• If you are a registered company, you will be required to inform Companies House of the closure.
• Seek advice in relation to the requirements for the retention of records and your system for storing these.  For example, some records must be retained for a period of up to 40 years, therefore consideration should be given as to where these will be confidentially stored and to who has continued access to them throughout this time.
• Notify other providers of any resources for sale.