Childcare Services and Information

If you are a working mum, then you must think about childcare long before you are ready to go back to work. If you're lucky you will be able to call upon a Grandma, Aunty or good friend to help out, if not you will have to consider outside agencies and decide what is best for your, your family and your new baby. Here I've tried to cover most of the options available and how to determine the best childcare for your circumstance.

Choosing Childcare - Questions to Ask

Coram - Family and Childcare Trust have an excellent guide. They work to make the UK a better place for families by bringing together what they learn from their on the ground parent-led programmes and their research to campaign for solutions that parents want and need. Focussing on childcare and early years to make a difference to families’ lives now and in the long term.

Vacancies and costs

Are there vacancies - is there a waiting list and if so how long?
Do you have to pay a deposit? If so, what's it for? Is it returnable?
How much does the setting charge per hour/day?
Do you have to pay for holidays/meals/nappies/other activities?
Do they offer a settling in period? If so, how long for?

Staffing and premises

What is the ratio of staff to children? How many children do they care for?
Do they operate a key (named) worker system?
How will they keep you informed about your child's progress?
What opportunities are there for you to be involved?
What is staff turnover like?
How well qualified are the staff?
Are all the criminal records checks up to date?
Is there plenty of outdoor space?
Can you see a copy of the registration certificates and inspection reports for the setting?

Activities and support

What are the daily routines and how can they incorporate your child's and other children's routines?
Where can your child sleep or rest?
What if your child is unhappy? How would they be looked after?
What are their policies on discipline and how do they manage children's behaviour?
How will your child's dietary requirements be accommodated?
What systems do they have in place if a child has a severe food allergy?
How will your child's cultural background be reflected and respected?
Are there staff members from different backgrounds? Do they have books and activities representing all cultures? What about food/music/religious festivals?

Emergencies

What happens if your child is sick?
What happens if you are delayed picking your child up at the end of the day?
How will they contact you in an emergency?

Nannies & Au Pairs

Eden Nannies - for a truly personnel service
Great Care - Nanny agency bringing together candidates and employees quickly>
Nannyjob - search for a nanny.
Norland Nannies - caring for children
Kinder Nanny Agency - exceptional, world class nannies and private household staff
Tinies Childcare - child care for the modern world
ABC Au Pairs - a caring service for au pairs and families
Childcare International Ltd - extensive experience in selection & placement
International Au Pair Association - find au pairs agencies worldwide
Pebbles Unlimited - looking for a french au pair? this is just the place

Child Minders & Babysitting Services

Baby Centre - detailed info about what to look for in a child minder along with useful related topics
National Child Minding Association - promoting quality registered child minders
Ofsted - scroll down and use the search tool to find Ofsted inspection reports
Scottish Child Minders - promoting quality child care in Scotland

Sitters

Deciding on a Child Minder

from The National Childminding Association Childminders are professionals and are used to parents visiting them to ask about the service they provide. Before you visit a childminder, spend some time thinking about the childcare you need and the things you are looking for in your childminder. Make a list of questions that are important to you.

NCMA’s top five tips:

1. Trust your instinct –many parents say their family instantly felt at home with the childminder they chose for their child. You’ll probably see them most days and will need to discuss your child’s care and payments with them so it is important they are someone you – and your child – feel comfortable with.
2. Take someone else with you when you visit – they will help confirm your decision and may think of questions to ask
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second visit. Try visiting at a different time if you can – during the day you’ll be able to watch the childminder with children, but in the evening you may be able to talk more easily
4 Visit more than one childminder. Even if the first one seems perfect, it is worth confirming your decision by visiting one or two more
5. As well as asking questions, make sure you take time to watch how the childminder acts with the children, and look around the setting.

Suggested Questions for your Childminder

How long have you been a childminder?
Why did you become a childminder?
What do you enjoy most about the job?
Are you a member of the National Childminding Association?
Do you have any relevant qualifications or training?
Do you belong to a childminding group, network or other support group?
How many other children do you look after, how old are they and how long
have you been looking after them?
Do you have any children of your own and, if so, how old are they?
What types of activities do you do with the children?
Do you and the children go on regular outings or special trips?
How do you help children settle in?
Do you have pets or a garden?
What food do you provide?
What do you consider unacceptable behaviour and how do you deal with it?
Do you work with other local childminders? How does this work?
What would you do in an emergency involving yourself or one of the
children?
Do you ever take the children out in the car and, if so, do you have suitable
insurance, seat belts and car seats?
What do you do about holidays – both ours and yours?
What happens if someone’s sick – whether it’s you, us, or the children?
Can I see your registration and insurance certificates?
Can I see a copy of your inspection report