Childcare

Think ahead of what future childcare you may need, as different providers of childcare often have waiting lists that can vary from weeks to months or even years!

Once you decide on the type of care you want it is important to remember to take time to visit a few similar places if possible, to get a feel for the staff, the children, the ethos of the care offered and the environment. Do you and your child feel comfortable? Are the children playing happily together? How do the staff relate to each other, to parents and to the children? Is there a good range of activities and equipment for different ages? Remember you do not have to accept a place if you are unsure or not yet ready.

For advice on how to choose the right care for your child see the Daycare Trust website. To find what is available in your area contact your Children’s Information Service – details of these are on ChildcareLink.

Different types of childcare

Day Nurseries
These care for children under five years old. Many have pre-school groups or classes for over 3’s. The opening hours mainly cover the working day 8.00 - 6.00 (check opening times with the individual nursery). They may be run by Social Services, a Voluntary Organisation or as a private business and fees will vary accordingly.

Registered Childminders
Care for children under five in the childminder’s home and for older children before or after school and during the holidays. Sometimes overnight care is available.

Home Based Child Carers
Home based child carers are registered childminders who care for children aged 0-15 in the child’s family home. They can provide care throughout the day, before school, after school and during school holidays.

Out of School
Out of school clubs provide childcare before school - often called breakfast clubs - and after school, usually to enable parents to work or study. Some out of school clubs offer care during school holidays and for in-service (teacher training) days.

Holiday playschemes
These offer care for all or some of the holidays and may include in-service days. They usually open to cover the working day 8.00 – 6.00, but some only operate part-time. Some schemes have an open access policy where older children can come and go as they like. They often get booked up well in advance so plan ahead. Out of school and holiday playschemes may be run by schools, voluntary organisations, churches or local groups.

Pre-school groups
These offer part-time care for children aged three to five years old and are run as voluntary groups (with paid staff). They usually require some parental involvement.

Crèches
Crèches are sometimes available to parents/carers attending a group, a meeting or a course. Session times depend on the length of the meeting or event. Parents will usually have to remain on the same premises as the crèche.

Nannies
Nannies are normally qualified people who care for children within the family home. This is a private arrangement with the family employing the nanny.
(Please note that, unlike the other services listed, nannies are not currently registered therefore families using this service are unable to claim Childcare Tax Credit. They will usually have been police checked and it is sensible to ask for this.)

More information:

Daycare Trust www.daycaretrust.org.uk
Childcare Link www.childcarelink.gov.uk
Pre-School Learning Alliance www.pre-school.org.uk
National Day Nurseries Association www.ndna.org.uk
4children www.4children.org.uk
National Childminding Association of England and Wales www.ncma.org.uk
Scottish Childminding Association www.childminding.org
Northern Ireland Childminding Association www.nicma.org