Childcare Arrangements - Pre-School

If you are a parent/carer of children of pre-school age, you have a number of childcare options available to you.  The type of setting you choose will depend on your individual circumstances:

• full day care such as day nurseries and children's centres are facilities that provide care for children under eight years of age for a continuous period of four hours or more in any day.
• sessional care, including pre-schools and playgroups, are facilities where children under eight years of age attend day care for no more than five sessions a week no more than four hours a day.
• childminders are people who looks after children from birth upwards, in their own homes, for more than two hours a day.
• creches are settings that provide occasional care for under eight year olds more than five times a year. Some creches offer permanent places; others offer temporary places for courses and conferences.

All registered childcare must be inspected by Ofsted and meet 14 National Standards.

You must always have a contract with the childcare setting that states the hours, fees, overtime rates, fees for non-attendance, meals provided, notice to be given etc agreed by you both, signed and dated by both, with a copy each.

Ensure you have an agreed contract with the childcare setting, which should be signed and dated by both parties.  This should state the hours, fees, overtime rates, fees for non-attendance, meals provided, notice to be given, clarity about what you provide as part of your service, for example nappies. This is a legally binding document and you and the childcare setting should keep a copy.

Some points to consider when choosing a childminder:

• Take your child with you when you visit.
• Check they have up to date public liability insurance cover and ask for proof.
• Ask what training staff have undertaken.

Charges for childcare may vary and some schemes will give a discount for brothers and sisters attending. Parents currently claiming working tax credit may be able to get up to 70% of their childcare costs back in tax credit in their wage packet. Payments are negotiated directly between the childcare setting and parents/carers.

All three and four year olds can access Nursery Education Grant (NEG ) for 12.5 hours per week free of charge childcare. Sessional settings can access this funding.

Helplines

Contact the Childcare Information Service (0800 345340) who will put you in touch with childminders living in your area or near your place of work or study who have vacancies. Alternatively they will give you details of other providers, including nurseries and children's centres. They can also provide a copy of the information leaflet 'What Childcare?'. Nurseries and children's centres will also be able to provide leaflets explaining their services.

You can also contact Barnsley Choices on 01226 775977.

Legislation

The Children Act 1989 limits the number of children under 8 years, in the care of childminders and at sessional creches at any one time to a maximum of. The certificate will state how many children a setting can care for. This will depend on various factors including the size of the setting and the number of staff.

Out of hours access

Childcare Information Service helpline is open:

Monday and Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

There is an answerphone service in operation outside of the above hours.

Frequently asked questions

How do you find a childcare provider?
'Word of mouth' is a good reference, ask friends or colleagues if they have used a setting they have been happy with. Also every local authority has a childcare information service which keeps details of all registered childcare in the area.

What does registration mean?
Settings are required to register with Ofsted under the Children Act 1989. They must meet 14 National Standards relating to suitability as carers of children, the safety of premises and facilities, insurance, and record keeping. Checks are made on all members of staff and with regards to childminders all members of the household over the age of 16 years. Settings are inspected regularly by Ofsted.

Do you have to take anything to the childcare setting?
It might be a good idea to take a favourite toy, and if you have a young baby the childminder may ask you to bring food, nappies etc. Make sure your child is dressed adequately for the time of year, the childminder may want to take your child out during the day. A change of clothes and shoes is a good idea too.

Questions you may want to ask:

• How many other children are in their care?
• How do they deal with unacceptable behaviour?
• How do they ensure the children in their care are treated with equal concern?
• What training or experience do staff have?
• What plans do they have in the event of an emergency?
• Are there any extras to pay e.g. overtime, sickness or holidays?
• What happens if my child is ill - will they contact you?
• Will they care for a sick child? 

Related Links:

• Ofsted Website
• National Childminding Association of England and Wales
• Children Act 1989