1. READING 1
Choosing childcare
Each child and family is different, and as such, the most appropriate type of childcare will depend on your own family circumstances and the specific needs of your child.
Some questions to consider: What are my child’s needs? What do they require at their age? What kind of care and learning do I want my child to have? How often each week does my child need caring for? What will be the most cost-effective arrangement for our family?
Then you will need to familiarise yourself with the different types of childcare that are out there.
* A crèche provides short-term occasional care for children under the age of eight and can take many forms. A crèche may be offered to you if you are attending training, visiting a leisure centre or may be provided in shopping centres.
* Children’s centres offer all families with children under five a range of services, information and support in their local community. The support available varies according to local need, but most centres will offer the following: advice during pregnancy, health visitor services, drop-in sessions, adult learning, employment support, debt advice and much more besides. Many centres also offer childcare, baby and toddler groups and crèches.
* Pre-schools and playgroups offer care for specific sessions, which can last for between two-and-a-half to four hours a day. Many provide extra services such as breakfast clubs, lunch clubs and holiday play schemes.
* Generally, day-care or day nurseries care for children from six weeks old until school age and primarily cater for the needs of working parents, are normally open all day and offer the choice of either full-time or part-time care. Some may also provide weekend care for parents who work shifts. They are run by various different groups including local schools or councils, members of the community, a workplace or by a private provider.
* Nursery schools and nursery classes are aimed at pre-school children aged three and four years old and most of them offer part time places and operate during term-time only. Children start to attend them in the September after their third birthday. A nursery school is a separate school that is only used by children under five years old, while a nursery class is part of an existing primary school.
* Childminders are based in their own homes and provide childcare for small groups of children. They give your child the chance to meet and play with other children, while being cared for in a home environment. They are usually self-employed and decide which hours they work.
* A home-based child carer is a person (over 18 years old) who is employed by a parent to look after children in the family home. Home-based child carers can care for children of any age and can work flexible hours.
* Out-of-school groups normally provide care for school-age children, up to the age of 11. This can be: before school, after school, during the school holidays, holiday schemes and play centres.
Adapted from: “How to choose the right childcare”, Early Years Alliance. https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/how-choose-right-childcare
Complete the table.
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Age
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Services
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Crèche
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Children’s centre
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Pre-school
Playgroup
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Day nursery
Daycare
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Nursery school
Nursery class
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Childminder
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Home-based childcare
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Out-of-school group
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