Finding the right caregiver for your child is often challenging, but it is one of the most important decisions you will make. Parents play the most important role in the life of a child; however, the relationship between a child and a caregiver can affect a child's self image and how he or she views the world. When infants, toddlers and young children receive warm and responsive care, they feel safe and secure. When parents know their children are receiving warm and responsive care by well-trained providers, those parents can return to the workforce feeling secure in the knowledge that their child is receiving safe and nourishing care.
The following types of childcare do not have to be registered with social services:
- Care at your own home
- Childminders caring for 0-8 year olds, on a paid or reward basis, for less than two hours a day
- Parent and Toddler Groups
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) has responsibility for registering and inspecting nurseries, playgroups and pre-school crèches, out-of-school care and childminders for children up to the age of eight.
A childminder works from his or her home caring for other people's children. If they are caring for 0-8 year olds, on a paid or reward basis, for more than two hours a day, they must be registered and inspected.
Crèches provide occasional care for children under eight and are provided on particular premises for more than five days a year. They must be registered if they run for more than two hours a day, even if individual children attend for shorter periods. Some are in permanent premises and care for children while parents are engaged in particular activities, e.g. education, shopping or sport. Others are established on a temporary basis to care for children while their parents are involved in time-limited activities, e.g. a conference or exhibition.
Facilities that provide day care for children under eight for a continuous period of four hours or more in any day premises which are not domestic premises. This includes, for example, Day Nurseries and Children's Centres, and some Family Centres.
This includes playgroups, pre-schools and nurseries where children attend sessions of less than four hours.
These are attached to infant or primary schools, open during school term, and provide care for children aged three to five years. Children usually attend free of charge, for a morning or afternoon session on weekdays.
School clubs often operate within school premises, looking after children for a couple of hours before and/or after school. They are normally run by private organisations or community groups. Holiday playschemes are often run during school holidays by the council or private organisations. If children are aged under 8 the scheme must be registered and inspected.
