Guide to childcare choices

If you’re planning to return to work after your maternity leave, you will need to organise childcare. We’ve compiled a list of your childcare options to help your start your childcare search.

What is a day nursery?

Day nurseries are childcare centres that care for babies from birth to four or five years old.

All day nurseries have to follow the early years foundation stage (EYFS) which provides a structure of learning and care for children from birth to five. This means the staff are trained to create a safe and stimulating environment for your child.

Day nurseries must be registered with the appropriate authority for their country:

England: Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
Scotland: HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE)
Wales: Estyn
Northern Ireland: Department for Education Northern Ireland (DENI)

Children are usually grouped by age, so your child will join in with activities suitable for his stage.

Day nurseries are usually open from 7am to 7pm, to allow for parents with a long working day and commute. However, many day nurseries discourage parents from leaving their children there for very long days on a regular basis.

You’ll find most day nurseries are open all year round, apart from bank holidays, Christmas, and a designated two weeks in the summer.

Day nurseries are different to nursery schools. Nursery schools are for children aged between three and five and are often attached to a preschool or primary school.

What is a childminder?

A childminder will care for your child in their home. Many childminders are parents themselves and may also have their own children to care for.

Childminders can care for up to six children younger than eight, although no more than three of them should be younger than five. This means a childminder will be able to give your child plenty of attention and one-to-one care.

Like day nurseries, all childminders have to follow the EYFS structure. This means they will provide toys and activities that will encourage your child’s development.

You’ll find most childminders work on weekdays between 8am and 6pm, but some also work weekends. You’ll need to find a childminder with working hours that fit in with yours.

Childminders work to national standards, which help to promote a consistent quality in the profession. They have to complete first aid training and a course that covers topics such as child nutrition, food hygiene, and health and safety. Many also have childcare qualifications, from diplomas to degrees.

Childminders must be registered with the appropriate authority for the country they’re in:

England: Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
Scotland: Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland
Wales: Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
Northern Ireland: Health and Social Services Trust

What does a nanny do?

A nanny will care for your child in your own home. They should hold a qualification in childcare, and they can be registered with the Ofsted childcare register. However, they don’t need to have either of these things to be a nanny.

Depending on what you want your nanny to do, they may be responsible for the following:

Planning a varied choice of activities to suit your child’s age and development.
Shopping and preparing meals for your child.
Cleaning your child’s room.
Washing and ironing his clothes and bedclothes.
Assisting in the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of your child. This means doing things such as taking him swimming, reading to him, taking him to playgroups, or supporting him in reaching milestones such as talking.

Your nanny carries a lot of responsibility in caring for your baby. So make sure you find a carer your trust, and that your child is comfortable with them.

What does an au pair do?

Au pairs are young people from other European countries who have come to the UK on an au pair scheme. They come to learn English and to earn pocket money. They will babysit in the evenings, help with light housework, and look after your child during the day when needed.

An au pair will stay in your home, so you’ll need to provide them with meals and a bedroom. You’ll also need to give them pocket money.

Most au pairs are not trained in childcare, although some may have done some babysitting or looked after younger siblings. For this reason, many agencies suggest that au pairs are best used if you have preschool or school-aged children.

Could I use a family member for childcare?

Yes, many parents ask a grandparent or another relative to look after their children. Informal arrangements with relatives make up the majority of childcare arrangements. It is low-cost and flexible, and it means your child will be looked after by someone he knows very well.

Relative care works best if you have a good relationship with a relative, and if they are willing and able to help. Your relative will need to be happy to do things your way, so you may need to lay out some ground rules about meals and activities.

If you can arrange for a relative to care for your child, it may give him more love and security than other childcare options.

This page is put up together with the help from babycentre.co.uk and nhs.uk articles