All registered early years childcare providers, that is, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders, must be
- fully trained in paediatric first aid and safeguarding
- follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
It is important to note that childcare providers including childminders:
- teach children life skills
- provide a range of activities
- take children on outings.
Different types of providers deliver their childcare in different ways, and not all need to be registered.
When choosing childcare you will need to consider:
- the ages of children they look after
- the times they are open
- whether you would like your child to be cared for in a home environment or within a group setting such as a classroom.
This page highlights key differences between the types of providers.
Please note, the information below gives an overview of the different types of providers and a typical overview of what they offer. They may however offer more flexible options than what is shown.
Registered childminders
Registered childminders are professionals in childcare, who look after a small number of children in the childminder's home. Registered childminders:
- can look after children of all ages, so they often look after siblings
- are often with the same family for years
- typically work from 8am to 6pm
- are often flexible to the times you need childcare
- are suitable for parents who work full time
- can provide personalised care as they look after a small number of children.
Sometimes a group of childminders work together, which may include childminder assistants. This is known as 'childcare on domestic premises'. You may come across this term when searching for childcare.
To learn more about childminders see
Childminders can choose to register with:
- Ofsted directly
- through a childminding agency.
Childminding agencies help connect childminders with families and are registered with Ofsted so have legal responsibilities to ensure the childminders registered with them are suitable. The childminding agency 'Tiney' has childminders residing in H&F. See Childminders on the Tiney website.
For a list of Ofsted registered childminders in H&F and what they offer see Childminders on the Family Information Directory
Nurseries and Pre-Schools
Nurseries and Pre-Schools can be managed by:
- a private organisation such as a private company, a workplace or members of the community
- the council. These are often called community early years providers.
Day nurseries
Day nurseries provide full and part time childcare and:
- are usually managed by private organisations
- tend to care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old
- are typically open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, all year round
- are suitable for parents who work full time
- employ trained early years practitioners.
Pre-schools
Pre-schools allow children to start at an age when they begin to interact more with their peers and develop their language to play with others. They provide structured learning to help children when they move into reception and:
- can be a private organisation or a community provider
- tend to care for children aged 2 to 5 years
- tend to offer morning or afternoon sessions, during term time
- may offer extended childcare before or after school
- employ qualified teachers.
Nursery schools and nursery classes
Nursery schools provide structured learning to help children with their transition into reception. A nursery school is a separate school whereas a nursery class is attached to a primary school.
Nursery schools:
- can be a private organisation or a community provider
- tend to care for children aged 3 to 5 years
- tend to offer morning or afternoon sessions, during school hours at term time
- may offer extended childcare, before or after school
- employ qualified teachers.
Different methods of education
Some childcare providers follow a specific approach to delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
See:
- The Montessori method of education: A child-led approach on the daynurseries website
- Forest school nursery: Benefits of outdoor learning on the daynurseries website
Where to find private nurseries in H&F
For a list of private nurseries in H&F and what they offer see Day nurseries, pre-schools and nursery schools on the Family Information Directory.
Please note, H&F council are working on developing a childcare directory which will make it easier for our residents to search for local childcare. If you need help identifying providers in H&F email FIS2@lbhf.gov.uk
Where to find community early years providers in H&F
For details on community nursery schools, community schools with nursery classes and early years centres in H&F, and how to apply see Apply for a nursery school place.
Providers that do not offer funded childcare places
Nannies, au pairs, children's centres and creche's in H&F do not provide 15 or 30 hours funded childcare places. However, where these providers are registered with Ofsted to provide childcare, your childcare costs may be reduced through schemes such as Tax-Free Childcare.
Nannies
Nannies are are employed by parents to look after children in the child's home.
Nannies:
- can look after children of all ages
- tend to work between 7am to 7pm however their hours can vary depending on whether they live with the family.
Au pairs
Au pairs are employed by a family to help them with childcare and light duties around the home. They tend to live with the family but do not need to meet the same requirements as nannies.
Au pairs:
- can look after children of all ages however tend to not look after children under the age of 2 on their own
- will normally work a maximum of 30 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
See employing someone to work in your home on GOV.UK
Where to find registered nannies and au pairs
Registered nannies and au pairs are known as registered home-childcarers. If you would like help to find a registered home-childcarer in H&F email the Family Information Service FIS2@lbhf.gov.uk. Please note, the Family Information Service is not be able to identify which home-childcarers are nannies and which are au pairs.
Children's centres
Children's centres are for parents or carers to attend with their child. Children's centres offer fun and interactive sessions for babies, toddlers, and young children under 5 years. They also offer valuable advice, support and guidance for parents, prospective parents, and carers. See our Guide to H&F children's centres.
Creches
Creche's tend to provide drop-in care normally for a couple of hours at a time, whilst parents or carers focus on something else usually within the same building. They are typically found in shopping centres, gyms, educational institutes such as colleges and events.
Not all creche's need to register with Ofsted but some choose to do so. If you wish to access a creche you may wish to check the following the following with them.
- The qualifications of staff caring for your child and whether a member of staff on site is first aid trained
- Whether there is a cost to access the creche and if so what that is.