Types of childcare

Registered and non-registered childcare

Some types of childcare are regulated and inspected by Ofsted. This means the provider has been checked against a set of standards and they're suitable to look after children. Other childcare is unregistered, which means checking how suitable the care is rests with the child's parent or carer.

Check if a childcare provider is registered.

Childminders

Childminders are trained, self-employed, childcare practitioners who look after children in their own homes. They're registered with Ofsted and both the childminder and their home are regularly inspected. A childminder can work with up to two other childminders or childminding assistants.

The exact number of children a childminder can care for is regulated by Ofsted. The maximum number one childminder can care for is six children that are under 8 years old.

Childminders work across a range of hours, often dropping children off and picking them up from school. Some offer funded places alongside paid for childcare.

Day nurseries

Day nurseries are for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old. Many offer out-of-school care for 5 to 11-year-olds.

Opening times are generally from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. They're open all year round during school holidays and offer flexible options. You can either have half or full day sessions over a few days, a full week, term time only, or all year round. They offer funded places alongside paying for childcare.

Nursery schools

Nursery schools offer funded places for children between the ages of 3 and 5. They're open during school hours, normally only in term time, for full or half-day sessions.

Out of school clubs

Out of school clubs are open before and after school, and all day during school holidays. They offer a quiet space for catching up with homework, as well as plenty of fun activities. They're for children aged 3 to 14, or up to 16 for children with special needs.

Some breakfast clubs and after school clubs are linked to schools. They offer a variety of activities on top of the normal school day. These include things such as music, art, sport, or study support.

Some out of school clubs will drop off or pick children up from local schools. Talk to your child’s school to find out if they offer an out of school club.

Babysitters

Babysitters look after your children in your home for short periods of time. This is usually to allow parents to socialise in the evening, or to attend an appointment in the day. Babysitters aren't regulated because they're looking after children in your home and often have no formal childcare qualifications.

There is no law in England or Wales to stop anyone of any age from babysitting. However, a person under the age of 16 can't be charged with neglect or ill treatment of a child left in their care. Parents remain responsible and can be charged themselves if their child is harmed in any way. The NSPCC recommend 16 as a minimum age for babysitting.

As a parent, you should make sure you're happy and comfortable with who you choose as a babysitter. It's your responsibility to make sure your children are safe. You do need to think about what would happen if something went wrong.  Make sure the babysitter knows where you are and has a contact phone number for you or a relative or close friend who lives nearby.

Home child carers/nannies

Home child carers, also known as nannies and au pairs, provide care for children in the parent's own home. They don't need to register with Ofsted, but may choose to register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

Home child carers provide flexible childcare, fitting in with unusual working hours such as shift patterns and weekends. They'll usually hold a recognised childcare qualification or have nursery nurse training, but this isn't compulsory.

There are no legal requirements regarding who is employed as a home child carer. However, you're responsible to make sure that whoever you employ is suitable to look after your child.

Home child carers are employed by the family. You'll be responsible for:

• paying their wage
• their tax and National Insurance contributions
• sick pay and holiday pay
• providing them with a mobile phone in case of emergencies
• adding them to your car insurance if you need them to drive the family car

As an employer, you'll need to take out employers' liability insurance. For your peace of mind, you should also check that your home child carer has public liability insurance.

Wages for home child carers can vary depending on their experience, the number of hours they're expected to work, and whether or not they live in your home.

You can find a home child carer by using a specialist home carer agency. Please note, agencies may charge a finders fee.

Childcare for children with a special educational need or disability (SEND)

Choosing the right childcare can be difficult for every parent, particularly if your child has a special educational need or disability.

Our SEND Local Offer includes details of childcare settings and how they can support children and young people with SEND from birth to 25 years old.

You might also find this guidance around childcare for children with SEND useful.

Childcare costs

Childcare can be expensive, but there's help available towards the costs. You might be eligible for the following schemes:

• 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds receiving additional support
• 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
• 30 hours free childcare for working families

The Childcare Choices website also has details about government childcare offers and how to apply.

Role of Ofsted

Ofsted inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Ofsted inspections check that a provider is meeting the national standards.

You can get a copy of a childcare provider’s latest Ofsted report online, either on the Ofsted website or on the childcare setting's record on the Barnsley Virtual Family Hub. You can also ask the childcare provider for a copy of their latest report.

Quality assurance

A quality assured childcare setting is one that's achieved accreditation from a national body. It includes schools, children's centres and childminders. The assessment is carried out by an external assessor, and to gain accreditation the setting has to go beyond the minimum requirements expected by Ofsted.

Quality assurance focuses on standards of:

• management and staffing
• resources and equipment
• equal opportunities
• safety and child protection
• relationships with parents

A quality assured setting has to:

• show they're growing their provision
• keep their premises and resources in superb condition
• have qualified staff who keep their qualifications up to date

Childcare sufficiency assessment

Our childcare sufficiency assessment is an annual report of the existing childcare provision in Barnsley. It maps the demand and supply of childcare in the borough.

Complain about a childcare provider

If you're concerned about anything you see or hear at an early years or childcare provider, you should raise this directly with the setting.

If you can't resolve the matter in this way, or if you have a safeguarding concern, please contact Ofsted on 0300 123 4666 or complain to Ofsted online.