Children's
& Young People's Services
Extended Services In and Around Schools
Childcare Options
What is the difference between Registered and Un-Registered Childcare?
-
Registered Childcare is where the provider and premises have been inspected by Ofsted to meet the required standards. Providers are also police checked and there is a high standard of quality care. Parents should ensure that they ask to see the provider’s certificate of registration if considering leaving their child.
-
Unregistered Childcare is where a provider has had no inspection and only provides informal care. There are no police checks routinely carried out on anyone who is not a registered childcare provider.
Who Provides Registered Childcare?
Childminder:Is a self-employed person who looks after a small group of children in their own home. They are inspected and registered by Ofsted under the 1989 Children Act requirements for a specified number of children aged birth to eight years. Childminders may also collect children from school and therefore cater for older children.
Nursery:Providing care, play and early education for pre-school children. All offer full day care with some offering part time places. They must be inspected and registered by Ofsted.
Playgroup/Pre-School:Offer care, play and early education for children from 2yrs 9mths – statutory school age. They usually operate on a sessional basis for two or three hours in the morning or afternoon, during term time only. They must be inspected and registered by Ofsted.
Holiday playschemes: Care and learning through play and structured activities for children aged four - 14 yrs (four – 16yrs with special needs) during the school holidays. They must be inspected and registered by Ofsted when providing care for children up to the age of eight.
Out of school clubs: Care and learning through play for children aged four - 14 yrs (four – 16yrs with special needs) out of school hours. They must be inspected and registered by Ofsted if they cater for children aged eight and under.
School nursery class: Classes for children during school hours and term time only. They run on a part time basis, are attached to schools and also provide care, play and early education. School nurseries are inspected by Ofsted.
Breakfast clubs: Operate within some local primary and secondary schools across the borough. Care, education and play opportunities for children who attend the school are offered, plus a healthy breakfast.
Who Provides Un-Registered Childcare?
Nanny: Employed by families to care for children in their own home. Can live in or out. They are not registered with Ofsted but may have qualifications in childcare.
Au-Pair: Usually a foreign student who lodges with a family and looks after their children in return for board, lodging and pocket money. They rarely have childcare training and are not registered by Ofsted.
Crèches: A crèche is a facility that provides occasional care for children under eight and is provided on particular premises on more than five days a year. They need to be registered where they run for more than two hours a day, even where individual children attend for shorter periods, while parents are engaged in particular activities e.g. shopping or sport. Others are established on a temporary basis to care for children while their parents are involved in time limited activities e.g. training, a conference or exhibition.
Carer and Toddler groups: Places where parents or carers meet people in similar circumstances with pre-school aged children for socialisation purposes. Children remain the responsibility of their parents.
Which type of childcare do I want?
The childcare you choose depends on the age and development of your child and what type and length of care is needed to fit in with your daily life. Parents/carers should seek information about all types of provision available to them locally and then decide which option is best for them and their child. It takes time to find suitable care and you should also be prepared to spend time settling your child in with your chosen carer. Many childcare providers have waiting lists for places so it is always useful to think ahead about what type of care and provision you need. Women intending to return to work after the birth of their child should start considering their options even before their baby is born.
Babies (0-2 years)
Babies need to build close relationships with consistent adults as they learn to trust and communicate. Care must be taken with their food, hygiene and sleeping arrangements. If you are intending to return to work after your maternity leave, making arrangements for the care of your baby will be a priority. There are four options: a childminder, a nursery, a nanny or an au-pair.
You may want information on where to get health advice, find out about places to go, socialise with other parents and how to get the best from the local facilities. This kind of support can be very important, especially if it is your first child. You may like to make enquiries about local carer and toddler groups and support groups, and make links with your local Children’s Centre.
Toddlers (2-3 years)
Toddlers are constantly developing lots of new skills, running, jumping and co-ordination skills. They also need time to rest and play quietly. They test the limits of their world and learn rules. As your child explores the world he or she may be ready to venture out into playgroups/pre-schools or nurseries.
You may think about returning to work full or part time and will need to consider the type of childcare you may need. You may also require a mix of childcare if you are working full time to give your child a range of experiences e.g. a playgroup/pre-school in the mornings and a childminder who picks up and cares for your child in the afternoons.
Pre-school children (3-5 years)
At this age children concentrate on trying out new skills and testing those they have already learnt. They develop social skills, such as sharing and negotiating and they are learning about social roles and values.
The childcare you choose will still depend on whether you are working or at home with your child. Nurseries, childminders and nannies are still the three main options for working parents, but most parents will use a mixture of care. Some children may start in their school’s nursery class so the care they had previously, e.g. a childminder, may only be needed part time.
School age children
Once your child has started at school his or her day is taken care of during school hours. Outside of these times and during the holidays you may like to consider other activities. Working parents usually need a mix of pre and after school care. This may either be provided by a childminder/nanny or at an out of school club/holiday playscheme.
Clubs and groups offer a chance to make and develop friendships and participate in a range of activities including sports, arts and crafts, drama and music.
Quality of childcare
Take time to choose carefully and visit as many different providers as possible. When you leave your child in the care of others you must feel secure in the knowledge that your child will thrive and that you can depend on the carer. Think ahead, children need continuity in their care so aim to stay with a particular carer for the foreseeable future.
Always look for:
- Trained and/or experienced staff. Check any qualifications and take up references.
- A safe and clean environment.
- Social awareness, remember your child will learn much of their social development in this environment.
- Do they practice and promote equal opportunities?
- Planned, fun activities with toys and equipment to aid your child’s development.
- A big welcome for you and your child.
- A willingness to listen to your views and ideas without feeling threatened and attention to your questions and requests.
Paying for childcare
Childcare costs can account for a large proportion of your family income because good quality childcare costs a lot to provide. For more information regarding benefits, please ask for a copy of our ‘Working Benefits’ leaflet.
The childcare element of the Working Tax Credit (WTC) is available to parents using registered or approved childcare. For further information contact HM Revenue & Customs help desk on 0845 300 3900 or visit  www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
How to find childcare
Bexley FIS can supply parents and carers with details of all the childcare available locally. We will discuss your options and have a series of leaflets which cover the types of childcare mentioned in more detail. By informing parents we hope that the choices you make, for you and your child, will be the right ones. Call us now. Our information officers will be happy to assist you.
|
