0-5 Know How

How to decide on the

right childcare:

• Draw up a shortlist using information from your local Family Information Service - check the hours that they can provide childcare, the hourly/daily/weekly cost and if they have places available for your child.

• Visit several settings and ask questions about the childcare provided.

• Make the big decision - it might help to take a friend and/or your child on the visits to help you decide.

• Take up references from other parents who have used that service.

• Book your child's place and arrange details like hours, start date, who is allowed to pick up your child etc.

 

Your child may take some time to settle into any new childcare setting, so allow them time to adjust to their new surroundings, especially if this is their first time in childcare. Remember that most childcare providers will offer a ‘settling in period', where you have an agreed length of time to assess whether the setting is the right one for your child and that they are happy there.

 

Visit settings

Visit several settings and ask questions about the childcare provided. It might help to take a friend and/or your child on the visits to help you decide. 

 

Visiting childcare settings -

what to look for:

• Trained and experienced staff, ready to learn and respond to your child's individual needs. 

• Busy, but relaxed, children who seem happy and purposeful. 

• Safe and clean premises - welcoming and friendly with outside play space. 

• Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to children's home life. 

• A staff team and group of children who reflect local ethnic and cultural groups. 

• Fun activities planned each day - childminders, nurseries and out-of-school clubs all need to plan their days with children's interests and enthusiasms in mind. Exercise and quiet times to relax are important. 

• A big welcome for you and your child.  

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Visiting childcare settings -

what to ask:

• What is the ratio of staff to children? How many children do you care for? 

• What qualifications and/or experience do you have?

• What are the daily routines and how can you incorporate my child's and other children's routines? 

• Do you operate a key worker scheme (whereby one member of staff has main responsibility for your child)? 

• What are your policies on discipline and how do you manage children's behaviour? 

• Do you provide meals, snacks, nappies etc or will I need to provide them?

 

These are just some of the questions you should ask; remember to also think about the things that matter to you and make sure you ask about them.

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Check quality

Check the setting's Ofsted report at www.ofsted.gov.uk. Other parents' experiences of a childcare provider can also be very useful. Childcare providers should be happy to put you in contact with other parents so that you can take up references about the service they provide. It is advisable to take up at least two references.

 

Take up references

It is advisable for you to take up at least two references. Childcare providers should be happy to give you names of other parents to speak to about the service they provide.

 

What about a childminder?

Childminders are professional childcare providers/carers (also inspected and graded by Ofsted) who work in their own homes to provide care and learning opportunities for children. They are self-employed and can decide their own working hours.

 

Most childminders offer care between the hours of 8am – 6pm although some offer their service at weekends and at other times by arrangement. All professional childminders must be registered and inspected by Ofsted.

 

Childminders are a good solution if your working day doesn’t fit the 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday pattern or if you have children of different ages and needs and you want them to be looked after together. You may also want your child to be cared for in a home environment by just one person.