Childcare
The various services explained
The distinction between early years education (sometimes referred to as nursery or pre-school education) and childcare is becoming less significant. We are moving towards more integrated services where settings provide education, care and a range of other family services - including training, help with parenting skills and health services. Parents can find it particularly helpful and convenient if this range of services is available on the same site.
The Government is encouraging this type of integrated approach in
disadvantaged areas through a programme of children's centres, which will
build on the success of earlier initiatives such as Early Excellence Centres,
Neighbourhood Nurseries and Sure Start local programmes. You can find
further information on all these services at 
www.surestart.gov.uk
[External Site].
Parents need to remember all childcare services should have:
- qualified and experienced staff able to respond appropriately and enthusiastically to your child
- provision for their staff to continue to learn about children and their needs
- safe and clean premises with plenty of space to play and explore
- fun activities planned each day with a range of toys and equipment
- a big welcome for you and your child
Finding registered childcare
An improved search tool for finding and researching schools, childcare and nurseries has been launched.
The new service - which now also provides Ofsted reports, maps and achievement tables - will soon be fully available on ParentsCentre. In the meantime, you can find it on the Parents section of Directgov. As this is an external website, the link below will open in a new window which you will need to close to return to ParentsCentre.
Search
for schools, childcare and nurseries
[External Site]
How do I know whether my childcare is good or bad?
Ofsted has a responsibility to inspect all registered childcare providers looking after children under the age of eight against a set of 14 national standards. All settings are inspected regularly, with some requiring more inspection than others. Following inspection, Ofsted produce and inspection report which provides parents with information about the relative quality of all childcare settings. Under the regulatory arrangements introduced by the recently enacted Childcare Act 2006, Ofsted will continue to be responsible for the registration and inspection of childcare providers.
ParentsCentre's 'Childcare' section includes:
Sometimes speaking to parents and carers who have experienced the same
issues and problems as you can be a great way to get valuable advice and
information. Read, respond or ask a question in the 'Childcare'
section of the
ParentsCentre forum.
Benefit from the advice and tips given by our experts in the 'Ask an expert'
section of the ParentsCentre forum.
Search for schools, childcare
and nurseries
[External Site]
Looking for Childcare booklet
(Sure Start) - updated Summer 2006
[External Site]
