Types of childcare

When arranging childcare, it's important to understand the different options available to suit your family's needs. We’ll look at the main types of childcare, outlining what each one offers to help you make the best choice for your child and your circumstances.

Nursery and pre school

• Day nurseries - These provide full-time and part-time care for children from around 3 months old up to school age. They offer a structured environment with a focus on early learning and development.
• Pre schools - Typically care for children from the ago of 2 until they start school. Usually operate during terms time and focus on preparing children for the transition to formal education.
• Nursery and foundation units - Some infant and primary schools have a nursery class or foundation unit offering early years education within a school setting.

For a list of nurseries and pre school settings in the borough and more detailed information about these options visit our starting nursery or pre school web page.

Childminders

• Childminders look after children in their own home.
• Care for children of all ages, including siblings of different ages.
• Offer before or after school or holiday care for older children up to the age of 14.
• They can often be flexible about the hours they work.
• Most will drop off or pick up children from local schools, pre-schools and nurseries.
• Take the children to local parks, playgrounds, parent and toddler groups and libraries.
• They are registered and inspected by Ofsted.

For a list of Ofsted registered childminders in the borough visit our families directory.

When a childminder should register with Ofsted

Childminders who look after children under 8 for a total of more than 2 hours per day and for any form of reward must by law be registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

• Before a childminder is registered to look after children Ofsted will usually interview them and inspect their home. This is known as a registration visit.
• An inspection, which will include a published inspection report, can happen any time up to 30 months after a childminder is first registered.

You can find each childminder's Ofsted unique reference number on their families directory listing

Out-of-school care and wraparound childcare

Out-of-school care include:

• breakfast clubs
• after-school clubs
• holiday clubs

They usually run from a school site, leisure centre or other location, during the times schools are not open.

Depending on the provider, they can offer:

• care for children aged from 3 to 14 years
• collection from or drop off at a specific school
• various activities for example sports, craft, skill workshops

Further information about out-of-school-care can be found on our wraparound childcare web page.