Different types of childcare available
The following are examples of the types of childcare and holiday care available for your child.
Childminders
Childminders are self-employed and registered with Ofsted to care for children aged 4 weeks and over and usually work in their own home.
Childminders will often be flexible about the hours they work, and they should provide your child with lots of care, fun and learning.
Childminders can make the most of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups.
Pre-School / School Nursery
Pre-schools and nurseries attached to schools offer a range of learning, play and social activities for children aged between approximately 2 and 5 years. Sessions last for about 2 and a half to 4 hours a day in term time.
Children in pre-schools or school nurseries work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals. Through play, children will develop skills such as:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Concentrating
- Learning to work together, and
- Co-operating with other children
They are fun and caring environments, where children will enjoy making new friends, whilst learning through play.
Day Nursery
A day nursery provides care and education for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. (Many also offer out of school care for five to eleven year olds).
Day nurseries can be run by the council, the community, based in the workplace or privately run. Opening times are from around 7am to 7pm, 50 weeks of the year. You can send your child full or part time.
Your child should experience a range of fun, learning and development activities suitable for their age.
Nannies
Nannies are employed by the parent/carer to work in the child's home. They can be more flexible with hours and days.
A factsheet describing the role of a nanny and how to recruit one is available on the Gov.uk website.
Parent and Toddler Group
Toddler groups provide toys and activities for young children. They are also an opportunity for parents and carers to chat and socialise with other adults.
They meet for approximately two hours either morning or afternoon during term time. A parent or carer must stay with the child, so they are not suitable for day care.
All groups provide an opportunity for play, which may include:
- Painting
- Crafts and sand
- Physical play such as trikes and push-along toys
- As well as imaginative play and of course books
When you can access the working parent 30-hours funding
| If my child turns 9 months old between... | I can access the working parent entitlements from the... |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | Term starting on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | Term starting on or after 1 January |
When you can access the 2-year early learning funding
(This is known as two year old funding for families receiving additional support (FRAS))
| A child born between: | If eligible can access funding from: |
|---|---|
| 1 April and 31 August | 1 September |
| 1 September and 31 December | 1 January |
| 1 January and 31 March | 1 April |
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ your funding over the whole year by reducing your weekly hours. You can use this funding with one or more registered settings.
Additional Charges
The funding the government pays for your child is to cover the cost of childcare. It is not to cover the costs of meals, consumables or additional hours.
Here is an example of what settings can charge for:
| What can they charge for? | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Refundable Deposit | A provider may not charge parents a deposit or registration fee to secure a funded place |
| Meals and Snacks | Settings will have their own policies, which may include, parents being able to provide a packed lunch or have other arrangements in place |
| Nappies and Wet Wipes | Settings will have their own policies, which may include parents being able to bring their own |
| Sun Cream | Parents are able to provide their own |
| Outings and Trips (forest school, zoo trips etc) | Parents can decide whether to send their child |
| Pick-up and Drop-offs | Parents to arrange if needed |
| On Call (whilst child is in another setting) | Parents to arrange if needed |
| Additional Hours | Parents can purchase additional hours at the settings set price |
All parents should have the same rights to access a funded childcare place, regardless of if they chose to pay additional charges. There should be no restriction on the child accessing a funded place.