There are lots of different options available for early years childcare and education, and it can be challenging to decide what will work best for your family. Here’s a guide to the different options that are available as stepping stones to school.
1. Day Nurseries
- Age Range: From around 3 months to school age.
- Setting: Group-based care in a dedicated facility.
- Hours: Typically 8am–6pm, often all year round.
- Pros:
- Structured learning aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Socialisation with peers.
- Regulated staff-to-child ratios.
- Cons:
- May be less flexible in the hours offered and there can be a waiting list.
- Regulation: Ofsted registered in England.
2. Childminders
- Age Range: From birth upwards.
- Setting: Care is usually based in the childminder’s home.
- Hours: Flexible, often including early mornings or evenings.
- Pros:
- Home-like environment.
- Smaller groups of mixed-age children, siblings can be cared for together.
- Cons:
- Limited backup if the childminder is ill.
- Regulation: Must be registered with Ofsted (or equivalent).
3. Preschools / Playgroups
- Age Range: Usually 2–5 years.
- Setting: Short sessions, often term-time only based in a variety of locations such as community halls.
- Pros:
- Often smaller group sizes than day nurseries.
- Can be a more affordable option.
- Cons:
- Limited hours; parents may require additional holiday care.
- Regulation: Ofsted-registered.
4. Wraparound Care
- Age range: School-aged children.
- Includes: Breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and holiday schemes.
- Setting: May be on the school site, or another site close by. The provision can be run by the school or by a different private provider such as a nursery or childminder.
- Pros:
- Supports working parents with before and after school care.
- All parents in England with primary school aged children are eligible to access wraparound childcare
- Cons:
- Availability varies by school and area.
- Regulation: Ofsted registered
5. School-based nurseries
- Age range: Children from 2 years to school age (some schools take younger children)
- Setting: On school sites, sometimes in a dedicated building.
- Pros: Can help with transition to school
- Cons: Term-time only and availability of places can be limited.
- Regulation: Ofsted registered
6. Nannies
- Age Range: From birth upwards.
- Setting: Care in your home; can be live-in or live-out.
- Pros:
- One-to-one care.
- Support with household tasks.
- Cons:
- One of the most expensive options.
- Parents become the employer (tax, contracts).
- Regulation: Optional Ofsted registration (for tax-free childcare eligibility)