The Early Years team has produced helpful tips when looking for childcare which are related to:
- What to look for when visiting a pre-school setting
- What to look for when visiting a day nursery setting
- What to look for when visiting a childminder setting
Guidance for what to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage is avaliable for parents.
What to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage (PDF - 5.98 MB)
Top tips for choosing and arranging childcare for childminders, day nurseries and pre-schools
- Do not leave it to the last minute to search for childcare. Popular providers can have long waiting lists (up to 6 months or longer), so it is important to give yourself plenty of time to do your research and then register your child. Even if you are not ready for childcare at this time, it is better to plan ahead for when you are.
- Make a list of your basic requirements such as opening hours, costs and location. Make these the first questions you ask when you phone around.
- Think about your child’s age and personality and how the setting would suit them. This is especially important for babies and children under 2 years as they require a lot more one to one care. You know your child best, so use your gut instinct too.
- Aim to visit at least two or three places to meet the provider and compare what’s on offer. Make a formal appointment rather than arriving without prior notice.
- Take a list of prepared questions. For more ideas on questions to ask, please see the ‘What parents should look for when visiting…’ document in the section entitled ‘Further information related to childcare’.
- If your chosen pre-school, nursery or childminder is not able to offer you the full amount of childcare you require, think about using an additional provider, for example, using a nursery for two days and a childminder for three days.
- Check parent reviews and ratings. Ask providers if any of their parents would be available to share information about the setting. Check online forums for reviews and check their latest Ofsted report.
- Go back for a second or third look once you have narrowed down your choices. Some providers will agree to a trial run before making a formal agreement.
- Get everything in writing once a decision has been made. Early years providers will ask you to sign a contract detailing items such as costs and hours etc. Read it carefully before signing and ensure that you are happy with everything that has been outlined.