Choosing the right childcare

Choosing childcare, from day nurseries to childminders.

Choosing and arranging quality 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