There are many kinds of child care available. Which would best suit your family?

Day Nurseries

There are three different types of Nursery and they provide care for children aged up to 5yrs. Some have places for babies and the opening hours may vary.

1. Community Nurseries – are run by Voluntary Organisations on a not-for-profit basis and fees are based on a sliding scale depending on the family’s income.
2. Local Authority Day Nurseries – are funded by the local authority for ‘children in need’ and applications need to be referred by a health visitor or social worker. Local authorities also run Nursery classes and Nursery Schools.
3. Private Nurseries – may vary in size from small individual privately owned ones to those that are run by large national companies.

Crèches

Provide childcare for parents who may be in further education, training or volunteering and are mostly provided on the same premises and is often free of charge. They are often provided at leisure centres, local community centres etc.

Children’s Centres

Early years and childcare settings which provide a range of family support, early learning and childcare services for local families. It will be sited on or close to a primary school and services will be tailored to meet the different needs of each community. This means provision varies from area to area but may include children’s day-care and a range of parenting and family support along with family health services.

Registered Childminders

Provide full-time and part-time childcare from baby to school-aged children and work in their own homes, are self-employed and can be more flexible. All childminders complete an approved childminding training course, a Paediatric First Aid course and must, by law, be registered with the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).

When registering Childminders, OFSTED will carry out police checks on the Childminder and other members of the household and require them to keep certain records of each child. These records help to safeguard your child whilst they are in this Childminder’s care.

Out of School Provision

There are three main types of service available and they are usually for children aged 5 – 11 years. They are run primarily for children whose parents are working or training. Fees will vary and places will need to be booked well in advance.

1. Afterschool Clubs – run from the end of school to about 6pm and are usually based in the school or in the community. The children are collected from school and remain in the club until they are collected by a parent/carer.
2. Breakfast Clubs – open in the morning before school. Most offer breakfast and then the children are delivered to their school, either on-site or off-site.
3. Holiday Play-schemes – run in the school holidays usually between 8.00am and 6.00pm. Costs will vary and places will be limited and need to be booked in advance.