https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-handbook-eif
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2021) states in paragraph 3.5: ‘The lead practitioner* must attend a child protection training course that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect.’ This links to footnote 14 which states: ‘Taking account of any advice from the LSP or local authority on appropriate training courses.’
*In a childminding setting, the childminder is the lead practitioner.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
The word ‘attend’ is used flexibly as courses are not always available and online courses are acceptable – for example, the Home Office courses on FGM and the Prevent Duty.
The wording in the EYFS does not mean your Local Authority can force you to do one of their courses – however, if you are a funded provider, it might be part of the funding agreement that you attend / do their course.
Ofsted does not require a certain course – for Ofsted, you must be able to demonstrate you understand safeguarding / child protection, have a written policy (see below) and be able to confidently answer safeguarding questions during inspection.
There isn’t a time-scale for taking courses as long as you stay updated. In a recent blog Gill Jones (deputy director of early education at Ofsted confirms, ‘There is no need for you to renew training at any particular intervals. However, under the EYFS requirements you must ensure that all staff caring for children have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding.’
https://educationinspection.blog.gov.uk/2016/12/05/inspecting-safeguarding-in-the-early-years-a-reminder-of-the-guidance-and-some-commonly-asked-questions/
during inspection, Ofsted inspectors will usually ask about the 4 types of abuse and ask safeguarding scenarios – to prepare for this, all professional development is useful including engaging with online training and webinars; reading blogs and articles; subscribing to emails from trusted sources such as NSPCC; reading serious case reviews etc.
The Childcare Register does not require completion of a certain training course – for the Childcare Register you must have a written safeguarding policy which is shared with parents –
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carrying-out-childcare-register-inspections.
Additionally, to comply with the EYFS the written safeguarding policy must also include a policy on mobile phone and camera use and a lost / missing child procedures and an uncollected child procedures (see requirements 3.4 and 3.74).
When I deliver webinars or write blogs on safeguarding / child protection, I always say that childminders should engage with local authority courses where possible, mainly because they provide local knowledge – for example, risks within the county. I also note that this is not always possible, especially if local authority courses are during the week when childminders are working and encourage providers to remember that their safeguarding knowledge is never up-to-date because we see regular new threats to children’s wellbeing and safety.