Choosing Childcare
Whether you have to start back at work when your children are still young or you would like them to start socialising with other children before starting school, finding the right childcare is of paramount importance.
Depending on your circumstances, your child’s personality or the sort of child care you are looking for, there are many options out there when choosing childcare. From toddler groups to childminders, it can be difficult to know where to start. Check out our guide below for more information about choosing childcare.
Childcare availability
First of all, you will need to find out what types of childcare there are available in your area. There’s little point setting your heart on a particular type of childcare only to find out it’s unavailable in your vicinity.
The best place to start is your local authority’s Family Information Service (FIS). Each local FIS provides free information to parents and carers of children aged 0-19 and can help you find and choose childcare in your area. To find out how to contact your FIS, visit the Directgov website.
What types of childcare are there?
There are various childcare options depending on different factors, so here’s a summary of what’s available:
Sure Start Children's Centres – offer early learning, childcare, health advice and family support for families with children up to age five.
Crèches – provide occasional care for children under eight.
Toddler groups – informal groups of parents and carers that meet locally with their children on a regular basis, usually including children who are under five.
Preschools and playgroups – provide play time and often early education to under fives.
Day nurseries – provide care for children from birth to four or five and beyond, often integrated with early education and other services.
Out-of-school or 'kids' clubs – offer school-aged children a safe and stimulating environment in which they can play and learn outside of school hours.
Childminders – usually look after children under 12 in the childminder's own home and often collect school-aged children from a nearby school.
Nannies – provide childcare in your own home and can look after children of any age.
How to choose childcare
Every child has different needs and every family’s circumstance will influence which type of childcare is most appropriate for them. It can seem daunting at first to decide which is best for you, but there are a number of things to consider when making your choice.
Ofsted registers and inspect those who provide childcare for children aged from birth up to their 18th birthday. They do this to help reassure you that when your children are in registered childcare they are cared for by people who are suitable. So getting in touch with Ofsted can help you confirm whether a particular childcare provider is registered and provide you with the latest inspection reports for that provider. Visit the Ofsted website for more information.
Giving yourself enough time to make your childcare decision is very important. Some childcare options, like holiday playschemes or kids clubs, will have limited availability and may get booked up so it’s important to act in advance.
Recommendations from other parents in your area can be a great place to start your search for childcare. If you know that one of your friend’s children has enjoyed a particular nursery or playgroup, then perhaps your child will too.
Often, however, the best way to finalise your decision is to visit the place yourself. This way, you can get a feel for the place and have a better idea of how your child will fit in. Every child is different – some may prefer the larger groups found in playgroups, whilst others may prefer to be looked after with only one or two other children at a childminders. Visiting two or three different places will give you the opportunity to compare your different childcare options.
For more information about choosing childcare, visit the Directgov website.
Lots of baby clothes for sale. For boys a...
£1
Luton
Ballet / Ballerina design kit bag that can be used for school, sports, swimming or ballet! . Bag has...
£14.95
Pink insulated lunch bag with a ballet / ballerina design for girls by Tyrrell Katz. Design is of ba...
£10.89
Boys like playing dressing up just as much as girls, and this set lets them build different characte...
£9.99
- black - comes with car seat with foot cove...
£90
Enfield
Pencil case with a ballet design by Tyrrell Katz, design has images of ballerinas performing variou...
£4.99
This magnetic wooden puzzle game features bugs and insects in a garden. Use the magnetic butterfly n...
£7.99
footmuff and raincover and carseat adaptors r...
£150
Great for storytelling and creative play.La...
£0.99
with sink, hob, oven and accessories, in...
£15
Hatfield