Childcare choices

Choosing childcare is a big step for you and your child. Not only do you have to decide on a type of provision, but you also need reassurance that your child will be:

  • safe
  • secure
  • well looked-after
  • happy

The right provider will help your child to learn, have fun, make friends, and meet their day-to-day needs.

Registered childcare

Childcare providers that look after children from birth to eight years old for more than two hours a day, for pay or reward must register with Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills). This means they are inspected regularly to make sure the care they provide meets the regulations set by Ofsted and all staff have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Types of childcare

There are many different types of childcare available. You can combine them to find the solution which best meets your needs. Before making your decision it is advisable to look at several local options:

Types of childcare options

Find your nearest childcare provider of for further information please contact the Families Information Service.