Young Wrexham

Childcare

Childcare can be a lifeline for parents, whether you are going back to work or simply need some time to yourself. Quite often family and friends can offer this support and help with childcare.

Your child needs to be with someone you can trust. There are many different childcare options available and it is important that you choose the right one for you and your child.

If you have to get someone that you don’t know to look after your child, make sure you interview them first and do some research.

Choosing who will look after your child is a big decision.

Childminders

• Childminders are self-employed and should be registered with the appropriate government body. They look after children in their own home on a regular basis
• A single childminder is allowed to look after children of any age from babies to teenagers but regulations mean they can only look after a maximum of six children under eight at a time. Of those six, no more than three can be under the age of five and no more than one can be under a year old (unless they are brothers and sisters)
• All registered childminders have to complete a basic registration course and first aid course. Some also have N.V.Q.s or similar qualifications in childcare

Babysitters

• Babysitters will look after your child in your own home but they are not registered with any government body and usually have no childcare qualifications
• A babysitter must be aged 16 or over
• Babysitters are not recommended for pre-school children or babies
• Ask other parents if they can recommend someone who has experience

Nannies

• A nanny cares for your children in your own home. They can either come daily or become a live-in nanny, staying in your house
• A nanny may or may not have any childcare qualifications
• As your nanny´s employer, you will pay his/her salary, deduct tax and national insurance and ensure good working conditions
• You don’t have to register or be inspected to become a nanny but they can become approved through the government’s voluntary Childcare Approval Scheme

Day nurseries/day care centres

• A day nursery can look after your child for a whole day, full-time or part-time, providing care and education
• They mainly take children up to the age of five, but some will accept up to eight years old
• A day nursery must be registered with the government regulatory bodies and inspected each year
• At least half of the staff must be qualified in an early years discipline and some must be qualified teachers
• Day nurseries can be independent businesses, not-for-profit community schemes, workplace-based or local authority-run schemes for families who need support

Nursery school or class

• A nursery school is an independent school with its own head teacher and specially trained staff. It is registered with the government regulatory bodies and inspected each year. It also offers government-approved early years curriculum
• Nursery schools can be state schools funded by the local education authority and free to attend, community preschools run on a not-for-profit basis with a fee and private nursery schools that charged a fee and are independently run
• A nursery class is a pre-school class attached to a school, staffed by a head teacher and trained nurses and teachers who are also part of the main school
• It runs a government-approved early years curriculum
• State nursery classes are free but nursery classes linked to private schools charge a fee
• Both nursery schools and classes take children up to five years old

Pre-schools and playgroups

• These are not-for-profit groups often run by parent management committees to provide short periods of care to children for a fee
• The majority run for two-three hours but some will extend to a full day
• All preschools and play groups should be government registered and inspected annually
• It offers parents the option to stay with their child and get involved in the activities, which focus on play and learning
• Most pre-schools and playgroups accept children age two to four, but some will care for younger children too

Before and after school schemes

• Your need for childcare might not end when they start school, so there are schemes run outside school hours to help
• After school clubs or schemes, such as sport or drama, will usually be run up until 6pm in the evenings to cover normal office hours
• Breakfast clubs allow you to drop off your child early at school to enjoy breakfast with friends
• There are also holiday play schemes available for the summer holiday period
• Talk to the school for a schedule of out-of-school activities
• Depending on your situation, you might be entitled to a reduction in income tax, extra benefits or free childcare if you are on a low income. Check with the Inland Revenue for more information on Working Tax Credit