Types of childcare

Childminders

Childminders are self-employed child carers who will look after your child in their own home.  From 1^st November 2024 the Department for Education is introducing new flexibilities where childminder can look after children from non-domestic premises (i.e. community centres church halls or schools).  They will normally be allowed to look after up to six children under 8 years old, with only three being under the age of 5.  Childminders can be flexible and can look after siblings of different ages. All childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted.

View our directory listings of local childminders.

Nurseries

Day nurseries provide play and education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. Some nurseries also offer out of school care for children up to the age of 11 years old.  

Nurseries are usually open between 7:30am and 6:00pm and on weekdays only.  

All nurseries are registered and inspected by Ofsted.

View our directory listings of local nurseries.

Pre-school playgroups 

Pre-school playgroups provide play and early education sessions which usually last from 2 to 3 hours for children aged 2 to 5 years old. If the play group sessions lasts for longer than 2 hours then the playgroup must be registered with Ofsted.

View our directory listings of local pre-school playgroups.

Out of school clubs and holiday clubs 

Out of school clubs are usually open: 

• before school for breakfast clubs
• after school
• all day during the school holidays

Clubs are usually for primary school aged children, but some do offer care for children up to the age of 14 and up to the age of 16 for children with special educational needs. 

Most breakfast, after school and holiday clubs are linked to local schools. 

Many schools operate their own before and after school clubs under the banner of the school Ofsted registration.  If a private provider operates a before and after school club on a school site then they must register with Ofsted if the club is open to children under 8 years old and operates for 2 hours or more per day.

View our directory listings of before and after school clubs.

Special educational needs and or disability 

If you have a child with special educational needs and or a disability, we understand how important it is for you to find the right childcare.  

For more information on finding the right childcare provider, contact the Families Information Service on 01642 527225.