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