Choosing Childcare
Looking for childcare?
Choosing the best childcare is important for you and your child.
You need to feel confident about the type of childcare you choose. You should consider:
- your child’s happiness and opportunities to develop;
- the care your child will receive from the childcare provider;
- if you can depend on the childcare provider;
- if it meets any working, studying or other commitments you may have;
- your needs and your child’s needs for the next few months and the longer term.
Children often find it hard to adjust to frequent disruptions in their childcare.
When should you start looking for childcare?
Start looking for childcare as soon as you know you may need a place for your child. Many parents begin before their child is born.
Finding a place for a child under two can sometimes be difficult, as child carers are usually limited to the numbers they are able to care for compared to older children.
Some childminders keep waiting lists for younger children due to demand and the limited registered places available.
What should you look for?
There are five main areas you should look for:
- training and experience of staff;
- safe and clean premises;
- cultural sensitivity;
- fun activities planned each day;
- a big welcome for you and your child.
You can also ask to view the setting’s procedures and policies, and the child carer’s current Ofsted certificate (which should be on display anyway).
Some other areas you could ask about are:
- how you will be included in planning your child’s care;
- how your child’s routine will be met e.g. diet (vegetarian, kosher, non-dairy), sleeping time, special physical or behavioural needs;
- how your ideas on issues such as behaviour management, sweets or toilet training will be met;
- how will your child be encouraged to feel happy and confident whatever his/her ability, culture, race, language or gender.
What should I ask a childcare provider?
It is a good idea to take your child with you when you visit a childcare setting. It is also a good idea, where possible to visit during normal opening hours. This will give you the opportunity to view a setting whilst children are around and you will see if they are calm, happy and busy.
It will also give you the chance to see how the carer(s) interact with the children that they are caring for.
It is a good idea to prepare questions in advance so that you do not forget anything important. To help you we have prepared 15 questions you might want to consider.
Add your own questions and don’t be afraid to ask them - good childcare workers will expect this and they will also expect to show you the rooms and outside space used by children.
Fifteen suggested questions:
- How long have you been working with children?
- Have you done any training?
- Do you enjoy being with children? Why?
- What other children will be with my child?
- What will my child do all day?
- Where will my child rest and how do other children’s routines fit with my child?
- How do you encourage good behaviour?
- What sorts of meals do you give children?
- Do you make outside visits and trips and where to?
- Do you keep records about children’s progress? How will I be kept informed of my child’s progress?
- How will we exchange information and communicate about my child on a daily basis?
- Can I see your registration certificate? Can I view procedures and policies?
- What are the ratios of children to carers?
- Do you operate a key worker scheme (where one identified member of staff has primary responsibility for your child)?
- How will you contact me if my child is sick/in an emergency?
What steps should I take when choosing childcare?
There are five key steps in choosing childcare:
- Draw up a short list – screen providers on the telephone first since this will save you time and wasted visits. Check hours of opening, fees, vacancies, and ages catered for.
- Visit childcare settings – arrange appointments to visit at least two or three examples of your chosen type of childcare. Don’t forget to take your list of questions with you.
- Make a decision – you’ve decided what you need, made a short list, visited your chosen providers, asked all your questions and mapped your route.
- Confirm your decision – it is a good idea to take up at least two references. Request the names of at least two parents who have used your chosen carer before and contact them. Ask them about their experiences. Confirm your place with the provider and arrange terms and conditions and how to keep your place booked until you start. Many providers will request a deposit or “retainer fee”.
- Agree a contract – It is very important to use a contract or formal written agreement as this records both sides agreement on pay, hours and conditions. This will avoid the possibility of later disagreements.
Many child carers will arrange a few “settling in” sessions before your child starts properly, which may just be an hour or two each time, so your child is familiar where they are going and who is caring for them.
Don’t forget – you are the expert about your child and you know them best. Always trust your own feelings and judgements.
How can we help?
We can search our childcare database for you to try to meet your family’s needs. We can search by a range of different requirements including:
- child carers that can collect from a specific school;
- opening hours;
- whether there is provision for a specific type of disability.
Our information is updated regularly by Ofsted, who register and inspect childcare in the UK.
You can search for childcare information on the national childcare search website and for more local information on our Family Services Directory.
Not all providers agree for their details to be available on these websites. If you cannot find the details you are searching for please contact the FIS.
