Dear Sheila, I have been told that you have advised that Day Care Centres do not have to be registered. Is this really correct as I am hoping to start a centre very soon and I wish to be sure that I comply with the law.

 

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear S,

I know that it sounds extraordinary but day care centres have never been required to be register.

CQC says on page 19 of a very useful document on their website that “The regulated activity of personal care consists of the provision of personal care for people who are unable to provide it for themselves, because of old age, illness or disability, and which is provided to them in the place where those people are living at the time when the care is provided.”

I think this makes things quite clear because any person attending a day care centre will not be in their own home.

The document is called “The scope of registration” published in March 2015 and you can find it at:

http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20151230_100001_Scope_of_registration_guidance updated_March_2015_01.pdf

On page 21 of the document there is a very clear diagram and in the third boxes down it refers directly to day care.

I hope this is helpful and reassures you. You must thought be pro active in making sure that you comply with regulations relating to planning, health and safety and food safety and you must of course therefore make sure that your staff have the appropriate training to comply with Health and Safety and Food Safety Regulations.

Best wishes.

Sheila