Choosing the right childcare

Choosing childcare, from day nurseries to childminders.

Day nurseries

Day nurseries provide full and part time childcare in a setting for children aged up to 5 years all year round and are usually open from 8am to 6pm, but some open earlier or close later.

Some nurseries take babies from 6 weeks and will provide care for them until they are of school age. Nurseries are usually privately run in Croydon or operated by organisations such as schools, churches or similar.

Cost and flexibility

Day nurseries can be fairly expensive, however many parents choose this option as it provides a steady and reliable form of childcare.

If you choose a day nursery, your childcare is not affected by staff illness in the same way it would be with a nanny, au pair or childminder for example. Most day nurseries offer care all year round, meaning that you are not restricted over the holiday periods. You also have more flexibility for family holidays as you are free to take your child out of nursery when you wish.

If your child is ill or you take your child out of nursery for a short time

You will still need to cover the cost of the nursery place. Start and finish times are usually not flexible and late pick-ups or early drop offs are not always available on an ad hoc basis.

Find a day nursery

Search for a day nursery – Family Space Croydon