How to choose childcare
Wendy Golledge
Associate EditorChoosing childcare can be one of the most difficult decisions you face as a parent. Your child's the most precious thing in your life, and you’ll do everything you can to make sure they're well looked after.
Finding childcare that you trust and your child enjoys can be a minefield.
Whether you're looking for a nursery place, a preschool, an occasional babysitter or a full-time nanny, finding good quality childcare is an important decision and there’s no substitute for visiting different settings to weigh up the pros and cons.
But to get you started, here’s our overview of the different types of childcare available to help you narrow down your options.
We’ve given an idea of costs for each option but these vary significantly around the country:
- £ means low or no cost
- ££ moderate cost
- £££ or ££££ higher cost.
Childminders
Childminders are trained professionals who look after one or more children, usually in their own home.
They have to complete essential first aid training and a DBS check to ensure they’re safe to work with children.
In England, they're inspected by Ofsted and deliver the same curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage, EYFS) as nurseries and other early years settings.
Childminders can look after children from birth, with a maximum of six children under eight at any one time, but only three of those can be five or under.
They can look after as many over-eights as they like, but their public liability insurance may put a limit in place, based on factors like the children's safety and the size of the childminder's property.
Childminder pros:
- Children are cared for in a home-from-home setting.
- Siblings can be looked after together.
- Small numbers means more one-to-one attention.
- Children can develop strong bonds with their childminder as they can stay with them for many years, even after starting school.
- Recent research has shown that childminders have a particularly positive impact on young children's language and cognitive development.
- Childminders integrate and socialise children in a variety of ways, for example, by taking them to toddler groups and on library visit.
- They can offer a personalised service to fit around your child's individual requirements and your working patterns, making them a good option if you work irregular hours.
- Many offer wrap-around care (before and after pre-school or school). Find out more about choosing after-school childcare.
- Many childminders can offer funded childcare places offered by the government for two, three and four-year-olds.
Childminder cons:
- You’ll need back-up care if your childminder's ill or goes on holiday.
- Some don't work during the school holidays.
- Childminders are self-employed, so check their terms and conditions – some may charge you for holidays.
- Good childminders often have long waiting lists.
Average cost: ££
Best for: young babies who need one-to-one attention, families with closely spaced siblings and parents who need before and after-school care.
Click here to find registered childminders in your area.
Day nurseries
Nurseries provide group childcare in a non-residential setting. They vary in size from small nurseries looking after just 20 or so children to huge establishments with more than 100 places.
Most nurseries split children into different rooms, by age. They usually take children from around three months up to school age.
Nurseries often have long opening hours and are open almost year-round. Part-time places are usually available.
Meals and snacks are usually included in the fees, and sometimes nappies and formula milk as well.
Nursery staffing ratios vary depending on the age of the children. For example, they have to have one member of staff for every three children under two, and one for every four two-year-olds.
Each child will have a keyworker who’s the main person responsible for her care.
Nursery pros:
• Long opening hours and year-round care.
• Childcare is unlikely to be affected by staff sickness or holiday.
• Children get to socialise with other kids of a similar age.
• Meals are included.
• Children often form good bonds with their keyworker.
• Some large employers (e.g. hospitals) have onsite nurseries.
Nursery cons:
• More expensive than a childminder.
• Flexible hours less likely to be available.
• Your child may get less one-to-one attention.
• Siblings may be in different rooms.
• Children of school age are not catered for.
• Bugs can spread easily between children.
Average cost: £££
Best for: families who need reliable year-round childcare, and who want their child to have lots of contact with other kids.
Check out our listings of day nurseries local to you.
Nannies
Nannies are professional carers who look after children in either their own home or your home. Some nannies live with the family.
They don’t have to be registered or inspected and there’s no limit on how many children they look after. For peace of mind, you can ask them to join the voluntary Ofsted register, but be prepared to pay for their registration costs and first aid training.
Nannies are employed by the family they work for. You’re responsible for their tax, national insurance, holiday, sickness and maternity pay.
Some families have a nanny share agreement where a nanny works part of the week for one family, and the other part for the other family.
Nanny pros:
• Your child gets to stay at home, in familiar surroundings.
• Hours are flexible and suit your needs.
• Siblings can be looked after together.
• Nannies will often do school runs, take children to toddler groups and after-school activities.
• Some nannies will do household chores.
• You’re in control of your child’s daily routine.
• You won’t need to take time off if your child is ill.
Nanny cons:
• Nannies aren’t regulated like childminders and nurseries.
• They're much more expensive than other childcare options, especially for a single child.
• Children might not get as much opportunity to socialise.
• You’re responsible for the nanny’s employment and benefits.
• You’ll need back-up care for sickness and holidays.
• It can feel intrusive to have someone in your own home.
Average cost: £££
Best for: families with several children of different ages.
Click here to find a nanny near you.
Au pairs
An au pair is a young adult who lives with you rent-free for a fixed period in exchange for help with childcare and household duties.
Most are taking a break from their studies.
They don’t need any childcare qualifications or experience and they don’t receive a salary, but you'll be expected to provide ‘pocket money’ to cover their expenses.
Au pair pros:
• It's a cheap option.
• Children often form close bonds with their au pair – a bit like a big sister or brother.
• Au pairs can help with cooking, cleaning and other household duties.
• They can teach children about their language and culture.
• Hours are flexible and they usually offer evening babysitting.
• They can take kids to and from school and other activities.
Cons:
• Many au pairs lack experience and qualifications.
• There may be language difficulties.
• You’ll need a spare room for the au pair.
• It can feel like having another child to look after.
• It can feel intrusive having another person in your home.
• Au pairs can’t have continuous sole charge of children under two (e.g. overnight).
Average cost: £
Best for: families who need an extra pair of hands around the house.
Visit our directory of au pairs in your area.
Pre-schools
A pre-school is an early years setting where children learn through play.
Pre-schools often run in church halls, community centres or village halls, or are attached to a primary school.
Pre-schools usually take children from around two, with a minimum of one adult per 13 children (depending on their qualifications).
All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours’ free childcare a week (term-time only), which can be provided by a pre-school. Thirty hours is available for term-time only for some children in 2017, although some settings choose to opt out of this scheme.
If your child's under three, you’ll need to pay for their place, unless you’re on certain benefits that entitle you to free childcare.
State pre-schools that take children aged three and four are free.
Pre-schools typically run during school hours and follow school terms. Some only run half-day sessions, or only open on certain days of the week. They all have to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Pre-school pros:
• Childcare is cheap or free.
• Children learn through play.
• They socialise with others of the same age, developing confidence and social skills.
• A wide range of activities are provided.
• There are often good links with the local community.
• Children often make friends who they eventually go to school with.
Pre-school cons:
• They're only open during school hours and term-time, so you’ll need other holiday arrangements.
• Sessions are typically only three hours long.
• Less one-to-one attention than in other settings.
• Meals and snacks may not be included in the cost.
• Good pre-schools often have long waiting lists.
Average cost: £ and free from the term after a child's third birthday.
Best for: providing children approaching school age with an early education.
Find contact details for pre-schools and nursery schools near you.
Creches
Creches look after kids for a few hours at a time, on an ‘as and when’ basis. They’re typically found in shopping centres, gyms and adult education establishments.
They don’t provide regular, full-time childcare, but you can leave your child there while you go to the gym or do some shopping, for example.
They’re cheap and flexible, and you don’t always need to book, but usually you can’t leave your child for more than two hours.
Age limits vary: some take babies as young as six weeks, while others only cater for children over three.
They don’t have to be Ofsted-registered if parents stay on the premises.
Creche pros:
• Flexible, ad hoc childcare.
• Gives you some free time for yourself.
• They tend to be cheap, or even free – for example, if they’re attached to a private gym.
• They’re usually bright and welcoming with stimulating activities like ball pools and soft play.
Creche cons:
• Not a permanent, long-term childcare solution for working parents.
• Usually limited to two-hour sessions.
• Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Children don’t develop a reliable attachment with a keyworker or other kids.
• You can’t use tax credits or (in most cases) childcare vouchers.
Average cost: £
Best for: short-term childcare while you get stuff done.
Click here to find creches in your area.
Holiday clubs
Holiday clubs and playschemes provide care during the school holidays for children of primary-school age.
They can be run by local councils, charities such as the YMCA or independent organisations. They may be held in a school, a community centre or a venue such as a sports centre or theatre.
They often have a theme, such as tennis or drama. Sometimes they arrange outings to places like theme parks and museums.
They typically run from 9am until 3pm or thereabouts, although you may be able to pay extra for longer days.
Holiday club pros:
• Flexible childcare for the school holidays.
• Good fun for kids.
• Children often know other kids from school.
• You can choose a holiday club according to your child’s interests.
• Some offer extended hours for working parents.
Holiday club cons:
• They can be expensive.
• Pre-school siblings are not usually catered for.
• Meals are not usually included.
• Trips and activities may cost extra.
• Short days can be tricky for working parents.
Average cost: ££
Best for: parents needing school-hours childcare during the school holidays, for children aged five plus.
Find a holiday club or playscheme near you.
What sort of childcare works best for you and your family? Tell us in the Netmums forum.
Why a childminder makes a great choice
