Choosing a childcare setting for your child is a very personal choice, but to help you with your decision we have laid out some key facts below.
Visiting a setting
- Before choosing a setting, it is recommended that you visit a range of providers to ensure you find one that is right for you and your child.
- Try to arrange a visit when the setting is open, so you can see how the staff interact with the children and whether the children are settled and happy.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a setting should be proud of their setting and happy to show you around and tell you all about the service they provide.
- Take someone with you if you can. It’s good to get a partner or a friend’s opinion and they may notice things that you haven’t.
- If your child has an additional need, ask how the setting can support them and ask about their experience.
- Ask for a trial session before you make up your mind.
Example questions to ask your setting
What activities will my child be doing each day?
- A setting should have a range of activities available for the different ages and abilities of the children.
What information will be shared with me about my child?
- A Diary, Verbal Handover, Learning Journal etc.
Are meals provided and can I see an example of a menu?
- Do you cater for allergies?
- Can you provide a vegetarian/vegan menu?
Do the children play outside/go on outings?
- What is the number of staff to children on outings?
What happens if my child is poorly?
- Do you have a medicine policy?
What happens if there’s an outbreak of a contagious disease in the setting?
- Are parents contacted if another child gets, for example, measles?
How does the setting manage behaviour?
- How is good behaviour encouraged
Where do the children sleep?
- Do you provide sheets/blankets?
- Can the children have their comforters to sleep?
What hours does the setting offer and how much will it cost?
- Opening hours may differ in each setting
- What does the cost include? (snacks, drinks, nappies, wet wipes etc)
Do the setting charge for my child’s holidays/sick days?
- A lot of settings charge for a session booked, whether the child attends or not.
What is the charging policy if the setting has to close, or cancel care?
- Does the setting refund the cost of a day they have cancelled? Due to, for example, a snow day, staff sickness, or maintenance issue with the building? And how does that affect funding allocation?
Does the setting have a settling in period?
- This is an agreed amount of time to help your child settle.
- These are usually short/frequent sessions to allow your child time to adjust.
Legal requirements
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills)
Most early years setting will need to be registered with Ofsted. Ofsted will routinely inspect settings to ensure they are delivering high levels of quality childcare. For more information, visit the Ofsted website.
Enhanced DBS
All staff coming into contact with the children should have an Enhanced DBS. This is a Criminal Records Check to show that they are suitable to work with children.
First Aid
Childcare settings should have at least one person on the premises that is Paediatric First Aid trained at all times. They should have an accessible first aid box and reporting system for accidents and incidents.
Policies and procedures
Childcare settings should have policies and procedures in place that show how they run their setting including a:
- Safeguarding Policy
- Medicine Policy
- Behaviour Policy
Plus procedures for events like fire and emergency.
Cornwall's Family information Service (FIS) contains further advice on Childcare and Wraparound Support.