Child Minding and Day Care Exceptions Order 2026

CIW registers and inspects providers of child minding and day care in Wales. This includes childminders, full day care, sessional day care, out of school childcare, crèches and open access play provision.

However, not everyone offering childcare, play or activities for children needs to register with CIW. A set of exceptions sets out circumstances where registration is not required, based on factors such as the type of provision, operating hours, the caregiver’s relationship to the child, where the care takes place, and the age of the children involved.

The exceptions are currently set out in The Child Minding and Day Care Exceptions (Wales) Order 2010, but this is being replaced by the Child Minding and Day Care Exceptions (Revocation and Transitional Provision) (Wales) Order 2026 (the 2026 Order). The 2026 Order was made on 25 March 2026 and will come into force on 1 April 2027.

There will be a one-year transitional period from 1 April 2027. During this period, anyone who will need to register under the new rules must apply to CIW and prepare their provision to meet the regulatory requirements. Applications must be received by CIW by 31 March 2028.

The new exceptions will become fully enforceable from 1 April 2028. From that date, anyone identified as needing to register who has not taken steps to do so could face enforcement action.

Until 1 April 2027, unregistered providers should continue to operate within the exceptions set out in the 2010 Order.

If you are unsure whether an exception applies to you, contact Care Inspectorate Wales. Any application to register submitted by someone who is not required to register is unlikely to be approved.

Who this may affect

The exceptions cover a wide range of settings and people, including:

• childminders, relatives, foster carers, nannies, au pairs, childcare workers and childminding assistants
• day care providers, including nurseries, out of school clubs, crèches and open access play provision
• sports coaches and clubs
• arts, drama, dance and music tuition providers
• faith and cultural groups
• youth organisations and uniformed groups
• tutors, including those supporting home educated children
• schools
• domiciliary support and health and social care services

If your organisation runs any activity involving children, you need to check your position against the guidance below.