Types of childcare
Childminder
Childminders are self-employed childcare professionals working in their own home or from non-domestic premises. They can care for children of any age but only up to six children under 8.
Childminders deliver high quality childcare in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS). Ofsted inspects and regulates childminders.
They may offer funded childcare places for children from 9 months to school age.
Each childminder may offer flexible opening times, often including evening or even overnight care. Some childminders offer wraparound care and can drop off and collect from local schools.
Day nursery
Day nurseries provide day care for children aged 0 to 5 years.
Nurseries deliver high quality childcare in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS). Ofsted inspects and regulates day nurseries.
Nurseries normally have separate rooms for different age groups of children; each containing age-appropriate toys, equipment and learning opportunities.
Day nurseries can offer funded childcare places for children from 9 months to school age.
School based nursery
In many areas, nursery provision is available within a school setting within an infant, primary or academy school and offer funded early education sessions.
School based nurseries offer high quality childcare in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (EYFS). Ofsted inspects and regulates school based nurseries.
Nurseries normally have separate classrooms for different age groups of children; each containing age-appropriate toys, equipment and teaching.
School based nurseries are normally available term time only from age 2 upwards. Although, many are now expanding their offering to include babies and holiday care.
Search for maintained nursery schools and classes.
Breakfast and after-school clubs
Some schools run breakfast clubs and after-school clubs. These can be provided by external organisations, on or away from the school premises.
Some are only available for children who attended the school. Others are available to all children in the community and have arrangements with schools for picking the children up.
Search for after school clubs.
Holiday club
Holiday clubs offer school-age children a fun environment during the school holidays. Schools run holiday clubs on site.
Home Based Child Carers (Nannies)
Nannies can look after children in the family home and can work around shift patterns and unusual hours.
Some nannies live in with the family and may pick up other tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, by arrangement.
Nannies do not need to register with Ofsted. They can register on the Ofsted voluntary registry to allow families to take advantage of tax credits.
Funded childcare is not available through a nanny.
Crèche
A crèche provides occasional care for children under 8 for no more than two hours per day.
Some are on permanent premises to care for children whilst parents are doing other activities. Some run temporarily when a particular one-off event is happening.
