Choosing childcare

Maintained nurseries

Maintained nurseries are run by local authorities. They offer morning and/or afternoon sessions on weekdays during term time, and free early education to three and four-year-olds.

Day nurseries

Day nurseries:

• care for children from six weeks to five years old
• are open for a continuous period of four hours or more
• opening hours tend to be 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday
• costs vary between each nursery
• some have an out of school club/holiday scheme for school-aged children
• most offer free early education to two, three, and four-year-olds

You must contact the nursery directly to check that their service meets your childcare needs.

Pre-schools

Pre-schools offer educational play sessions for children aged two and three quarters to five-year-olds. Morning and afternoon sessions can last for up to four hours. Costs can vary between each pre-school and some offer free early education for three and four-year-olds.

Childminders

Childminders:

• are self-employed to work from their own home
• care for children from six weeks old to eight years and older if required
• offer flexible opening hours
• costs vary
• may offer a school drop-off and collection service
• offer free early education for eligible two, three and four-year-olds

Nannies

The role of a nanny is to care for a child or children in their own home. Nannies can provide a range of domestic tasks as well as providing care. Typical tasks can include preparing meals, tidying the home and driving the child or children to and from school or events such as appointments or classes.

Nannies usually work for one family and tend to become a close member of the household. They take responsibility for the wellbeing of the children within that household.

Nannies may be live-in or live-out.

A nanny can be employed by an agency, in which case you would be paying the agency. Alternatively, you could employ a private nanny. In this case you would be responsible as their employer.

Nannies will usually provide one to one care for the child or children within one household and their hourly charge will usually be higher than for regular nursery or childminder fees.

Nannies are generally not Ofsted registered. To get help with your childcare costs, the nanny would need to have registered with Ofsted on the voluntary part of the childcare register.

We do not recommend, endorse or promote specific nannies or home child carers. For more information, you will need to contact a nanny or childcare agency on the understanding that they have not been verified or approved by us. Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring that they are satisfied with the safeguards offered by the provider.