Childcare Choices

This section gives advice to parents looking for childcare. It provides information about the different types of childcare available and things to look for when choosing a type of childcare.

Finding the right childcare is a very individual decision. What is right for one family is not necessarily appropriate for another. You need to think about your own circumstances, how long you need childcare for, how many days, how close to home/work does the childcare need to be, does it need to be near the local school. Once you have decided on the type of childcare for you then try to visit a number of different establishments for comparison. Take your child with you, this will allow you to see how the carer relates to your child. Take a list of questions with you - you might forget to ask something important.

All childcare needs to be registered. This is done by OFSTED. Childcare providers need to meet the National Standards for Under Eights Daycare and Childminding. These consist of 14 standards each covering a certain aspect of childcare regulations. Childcarers must meet these standards in order to become registered.

Full Day Care
The definition of Full Day Care is:
Facilities that provide day care for children under eight for a continuous period of four hours or more in any day in premises which are not domestic premises. For example day nurseries, children’s centres and some family centres.

Full Day Care facilities provide care for children from 6 months to 5 years and offer full day care. Average opening hours are from 8:00am until 6:00pm with children being able to attend for either full or half days.

Day Nurseries can register with OFSTED to provide 2½ hr funded education sessions for 3 & 4 year olds which will then be funded for parents. They provide activities and experiences to promote children’s development appropriate to the age of the child. As they offer childcare over a full day they also provide meals for children.

Sessional Care
The definition of sessional care is:
Facilities that provide daycare for children under eight, for a session which is less than a continuous period of 4 hours in any day, on premises which are not domestic premises.

Where two sessions are offered in any one day, individual children must not attend more than 5 sessions a week. There must be a break between sessions with no children in the care of the provider.

Sessional care covers provision which offers children part-time care and education, as well as the opportunity to engage in activities with their peer group eg pre-school playgroups.

Pre-schools/playgroups offer childcare and education within the local community. The ethos of pre-schools and playgroups is learning through play and involving parents in their children’s development.

They are often based in community buildings such as church halls and usually offer sessions of 2 to 2½ hrs, although they can run sessions up to 4 hours.

They offer a wide variety of play activities and experiences to promote children’s development through play. Pre-schools can register with OFSTED to provide 2½ hr funded education sessions for 3 & 4 year olds which are then funded for parents.
The majority of pre-schools are run by a voluntary management committee which consists of parents and interested people within the community. They can also be run by private individuals.

Childminders
The definition of a Childminder is :
A person who is registered to look after one or more children under the age of eight, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises, for reward and for a total of more than 2 hours.

Childminders work in their own home. They offer care and education to children in their own home. Childminders can offer flexibility, often working earlier and later than other childcare providers and are able to cater for individual circumstances. Childminders are self employed and offer a service that parents choose can choose to use. As childminders are self employed prices can vary.

Childminders can become part of an approved accredited network and are then able to receive funded 2½ hour education sessions for 3 & 4 year olds. Childminders may also be part of the Sponsored Childminders Network.

Out of School Care

What is Out of School Childcare?

Out of School Clubs are for school aged children. They offer children a safe, stimulating place where they can relax, play and socialise with friends…to have fun!

They are usually based in or near schools. They are run outside school hours by a team of staff called Playworkers, who hold or are working towards a relevant childcare/playwork qualification.

What kind of activities will be on offer?

Breakfast Clubs – offer a healthy choice of breakfast in a relaxed environment and the opportunity to start the school day on time.

After School Clubs and Holiday Schemes – offer a wide range of organised activities and free play. The children have the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts, sports, games, cookery, imaginative play etc.

In addition holiday schemes organise visits to places of interest and fun and have visitors, who are involved in the community, to come and share their experiences/work with the children. Depending on the type of holiday scheme children may also be provided with breakfast or snacks, or may be asked to being in their own packed lunches.

What are the benefits of Out of School Childcare?

Children – where all children have equal access to child centred opportunities for play, forming friendships, having fun in a safe and secure environment.

Parents – offers parents who are working, training or returning to study flexibility of childcare. Parents can access childcare on a permanent or casual basis depending on the parents needs.

Employers – absenteeism is often a recurring problem for working parents who are unable to access affordable and appropriate childcare. Therefore some employers are now implementing a childcare voucher scheme for their employees. Some of the benefits to employers are:-

• Helps significantly with staff recruitment and retention
• Improves morale
• Simple to set up with minimal administration

The benefits to employees are:-

• Saves money on childcare fees
• Can be used for many types of registered childcare
• Simple to set up

For further information contact a member of the Development Team at Barnsley Choices on 01226 775977.

How are schemes financed?

• Some funding maybe available through grant making trusts, although schemes need to ensure their own long-term sustainability
• Parents maybe able to access the Governments Childcare Tax Credits scheme to help finance the cost of childcare
• Parents using the club will have to pay fees
• Some employers may implement childcare vouchers to help their employees

How to market your Out of School Club

Listed below are some ideas of how you can market your services.

• Word of mouth from the children attending your club
• Barnsley Choices website
• Post Office
• Local newspapers
• School newsletters
• Flyers that could be given with school prospectus to new parents
• School website
• Job Centre
• Health Centre
• Library
• Swimming Baths
• Leisure Centre

Signs of Quality Childcare
Each type of childcare will offer a range of activities appropriate to the environment in which they provide the care. Here are some signs of quality childcare that you as a parent can look for when choosing your childcare.

• Are you and your child greeted and made to feel welcome by staff?
• Are the premises clean and safe?
• Do the carers take time to listen to your concerns and act on them?
• Do the children seem happy and relaxed?
• Do the children have opportunity to experience a range of activities including books, dressing up clothes, home corner, natural materials such as sand and water, paint and other toys?
• Do the children seem interested in what is available?
• Are the adults talking to and playing with the children?
• Do the adults listen to the children?
• Do children approach and talk to the adults and do the adults respond?
• Is the equipment clean, safe and in good condition?
• Do the activities, books and displays represent different cultures/disabilities in a positive manner?
• If food is provided is the menu nutritious and does it take into account children’s individual requirements?

For details of quality assurance of childcarers, click here.

Always trust your own feelings about the childcare you choose – you know your child best.

For up to date childcare information contact the Childcare Information Service. They can provide information and guidance on all types of childcare provision.

For a listing of childcarers in the Barnsley area, click here

See new Birth to Three Matters flyer that is available to parents