Choosing the right childcare

When you are looking for childcare, you should:

• try to arrange your childcare in good time
• look at all available options and visit a range of providers
• think about combining different sorts of childcare
• think about your child’s needs when making your choice and ensure that the childcare meets your requirements
• ask to visit a setting more than once if you wish and take someone with you

What to consider when viewing childcare settings

There are a number of things you should take into consideration.

Equipment and activities

You could check:

• the equipment is creative and varied and age appropriate
• activities and equipment reflect cultural diversity
• children have free choice and access to activities
• the activities support your child’s learning and development
• there is a quiet area

Staffing

You could check:

• the number of children cared for at the setting
• how stable is the staff team
• there are regular training days when the children cannot attend
• if there are qualified paediatric first aiders

Documentation

You could ask:

• to see the Ofsted registration certificate, inspection reports and any relevant insurance documents, such as public liability or car insurance
• about policies and procedures on safeguarding, behaviour and administration of medicines
• about terms and conditions of the contract, for example the notice period, payment for holidays and sickness, retainer fees, deposits, before signing anything
• what is included in your fees and when they will be reviewed and whether a deposit is needed and if this is returnable or used to offset fees