Family Information Service

Guide to childcare options

Childcare has benefits for the whole family, not just for now

but for a long time into the future. With good quality

childcare, your children will learn, develop

and play alongside other children and will

benefit for years to come. Knowing that your

children are well cared for gives you the

opportunity to work, train, meet other parents

or simply to have a break.

Finding childcare that’s best both for you and

for your child will depend on many things—

including your budget. But the first step is to

know what the options are.

As a parent you need peace of mind that your child is safe,

happy and being well cared for. You may also need to

consider the impact of childcare costs on your family

income, but you may be able to get help with your childcare

costs.

In Gloucestershire there are many providers of early

learning and childcare for children as well as out of school

and holiday playschemes for school age children. The cost

can vary widely so it makes sense to talk to your Family

Information Service 01452 427362 or 0800 542 02 02 to

find out what’s available near you.

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Childcare Options

Day Nurseries

Look after children from birth to age five and the majority of

day nurseries in Gloucestershire are privately owned. All

nurseries should be registered and inspected by Ofsted and

have a designated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

(SENCO) to co-ordinate provision for children with special

needs.

Pre-schools and playgroups

Provide an opportunity for young children to learn through

play in a group setting on a sessional basis usually during

term time. Settings are often run by Parent Committees as

non-profit making groups.

Childminders

Look after children in their own home. They are registered

with Ofsted to care for up to six children under 8 years old.

Many have additional quality awards.

Nannies / Home Childcarers

Come to your home, and will often fit in with non-typical

working hours. Some choose to register with Ofsted to

enable parents to claim tax credits. Costs vary, and you

may have to pay your nanny’s tax and National Insurance.

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Children’s Centres

A one-stop shop for children and families. Each Children’s

Centre will offer different levels of service ranging from,

childcare, play and early learning, expert advice, healthcare,

parenting and family support, help with skills and getting

qualifications, and links to training and work. Many services

are free.

Out of School Schemes

Offer play and care to school age children. Depending on

the hours you need to work, you may want a breakfast club

- open before school, or an after school club. Some clubs

will even pick up children from schools in the area. Opening

times vary and you will need to check with each provider.

Holiday Playschemes

May be based in community centres, sports halls or schools

and offer a wide range of activities during the school

holidays. They’re usually open for all or part of the summer

holiday, and some open over Easter and half terms.

Information on childcare providers in Gloucestershire can

be found by visiting www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk or

telephoning 01452 427362 or 0800 542 02 02.

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Does your child have a disability or additional

needs?

All early learning and childcare providers are under a legal

duty to consider how best to offer extra

support to meet a child’s needs. The Special

Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (you can find

this on www.gov.uk) gives guidance on the

different levels of support that are available.

The Local Offer provides information about the range of

services available in Gloucestershire and how they may

support children with SEND, including childcare providers.

Gloucestershire’s Local Offer can be found at

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/localoffer. If you do not

have access to the internet please contact The Family

Information Service on 0800 542 02 02.

In Gloucestershire, we have a Graduated Pathway so that

everyone with additional needs gets the right support when

they need it. In short, the Graduated Pathway includes My

Profile, My Plan, My Assessment and My Plan+ and My

EHC Plan. If you have any concerns about your child’s

development talk to the people working with your child in

the first instance like the Early Years Practitioner or the

Early Years SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-

ordinator). They can help guide you through the Graduated

Pathway Process if this is appropriate to meet the needs of

your child.

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Choosing Childcare

When to start looking for childcare Don’t leave it until the last minute. It is best to give yourself

plenty of time to look at all of the options available before

you make a choice. Some childcare settings will have a

waiting list so start looking as soon as you know that you

may need a place for your child.

Steps to take when choosing childcare

1. Research – First of all research all of the options by

contacting your local Family Information Service. It

is a good idea to screen providers on the telephone

before visiting, this will save you time and wasted

visits. Have a list of questions handy so that you can

check basic requirements e.g. opening hours, costs

and vacancies. To view the latest inspection reports

go to: http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/

2. Visit – Try to visit at least two or three childcare

settings. This will help you to compare what is

available and make an informed decision about where

your child will be happiest. Remember to take a list of

questions with you. Don’t feel rushed into making a

decision; it is fine to go back for a second look when

you are narrowing down your options.

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3. Decide – When you have researched your childcare

options, visited your shortlisted settings and asked all

of your questions, you can make your final decision.

At this point it is recommended that you check

references. Most childcare providers will be

happy to give you the name and contact details of

other parents who have used them before. Speak to

the referees about their experience with the childcare

provider.

4. Confirm – Finally you can confirm your place with

the provider. Many settings may require a deposit or

a retainer fee. It is very important that you use a

contract or formal written agreement. This records

what you have agreed with the provider regarding

pay, conditions and hours, and will help you to avoid

disagreements in future. Read it very carefully

before signing.

Things to look for when visiting a childcare

setting

Do the children seem calm, happy and busy?

Do the children play and talk together?

Are the staff listening to children and answering

them carefully?

Are the staff friendly and enjoying their work?

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Are the staff joining in with what the children are

doing?

Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for

children to use?

Are the premises clean, well kept and safe?

Questions to ask all childcare providers

A good childcare provider will expect you to ask questions

and will be happy to answer them. We have drawn up a list

of questions that you may want to ask when you have a

look round a childcare setting. If there are other things you

want to know, don’t be afraid to ask.

What is the daily routine and how will my child be

occupied? For example, are there planned sessions

as well as free-play time?

How do you encourage good behaviour?

What are the arrangements for rest / sleeping?

Can I see where the children play outside? What

security measures are there to ensure children are

safe?

What will my child eat and drink during the day? Are

special diets catered for?

How will I know what my child has been doing during

the day?

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How will we exchange information and communicate

about my child on a daily basis?

Are there any additional costs? (e.g. nappies, meals,

outings).

Do the children have the opportunity to go on any

outings? If yes, what safety processes are in place?

(e.g. consent forms, additional staff, risk assessment).

What training / qualifications do the staff have?

How will you contact me in an emergency / if my child

is sick?

Can I see your registration, insurance and first aid

certificates?

Can I view policies and procedures?

Questions specific to childminders:

How long have you been looking after children and

what made you choose childminding as a career?

What ages are the other children who are regularly

cared for at the same time as my child?

How does the childminder manage potty training, or

taking older children to school?

Are there other adults around during the hours that

minded children are cared for? Sometimes

childminders will have an approved assistant, but this

should be stated on their registration certificate.

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Questions specific to Day Nurseries: Will my child be kept with the same group of children?

This gives your child a chance to develop social skills

and relationships with other children.

Do you operate a key worker scheme (where one

identified member of staff has primary responsibility for

your child)?

How many children are each member of staff

responsible for? Ratios should be:

0-2 years: 1 member of staff for every 3

children

2 years: 1 member of staff for every 4

children

3 – 7 years: 1 member of staff for every 8

children

Questions specific to Out of School clubs:

What activities do you offer?

Do you offer any homework facilities?

Is there an area for younger children?

Is there adequate security? Is there a signing in/out

book?

What schools do you collect from?

Questions specific to Holiday Schemes: Who is in charge?

What qualifications do they have?

How are the children and young people supervised?

What activities does the scheme offer?

How much individual attention will children get?

How secure is the building?

Are they Ofsted Registered?

Don’t forget – you are the expert about

your child and you know them best.

Always trust your own feelings and

judgements when choosing childcare.

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Help to pay for childcare

Early Education for 2 year olds (A2YO) may be

available from the term following their 2nd birthday. It is

open to low-income families, adopted/fostered children, 2

year olds with special educational needs or disabilities, and

those who have left care but are unable to return home.

Parents/guardians (on certain benefits) can check if they

can access the funding by visiting

http://www.gcca2yofunding.com or contacting the Family

Information Service with your national insurance

number.

For parents/guardian who live in Gloucestershire

and who do not meet the economic criteria and

where a professional feels a 2 year old would

benefit from receiving Early Education, a referral process is

in place and parents/guardian should speak with relevant

professionals. More details can be found by visiting

http://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk or contacting the

Family Information Service on 01452 427362 or 0800 542

02 02.

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Early Years Education for 3 and 4 year olds

Regardless of whether you work or how much you earn, all

3 and 4 year old children are entitled to free early years

education from the term following their third birthday until

the term in which they turn 5 or when they are on a school

register.

To find out which settings offer funded places visit

http://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk and type 'free 3 and

4' and your postcode in the search boxes. Alternatively

you could speak to your child's childcare provider or

telephone the Family Information Service on 01452

427362 or 0800 542 02 02 .

For more information on Early Education for 3 and 4 year

olds visit the website at:

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/extra/free3and4

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Childcare Vouchers Scheme

The most common employer supported childcare is the

Childcare Voucher Scheme. A sum (depending on your tax

threshold) is deducted before Income tax and National

Insurance Contributions which means that employers and

employees make savings, these vouchers can then be used

to pay for childcare. For more information contact the

Family Information Service on: 0800 542 02 02

Directgov have a childcare voucher calculator at:

https://www.gov.uk/childcare-vouchers-better-off-calculator

which you can use to see if this Scheme will benefit you.

From 2017, the Government will be introducing Tax Free

Childcare where eligible families will get 20% of their annual

childcare costs paid for by the Government. More

information about this scheme will be advertised when a

firm date for implementation is known.

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Useful Contacts:

www.gov.uk

General information for parents.

www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator

Tax Credit Calculator.

http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/

To view up to date Ofsted inspection reports.

www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk

Local information for parents and professionals.

Gloucestershire’s Family Information

Service - featuring the ‘Local Offer’

Free, impartial information, advice and support for

families with children and young people aged 0-25.

familyinfo@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Direct Line : 01452 427362

Call : 0800 542 02 02

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (answering machine at all other times)

@GlosFIS

Family Information Service - Gloucestershire

www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk

The Key—Disabled children’s and young people’s

register thekey@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Nov 2016