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Childcare Options

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Options for Childcare
Choosing a Childminder
Parent and Toddler Groups
Choosing a Pre School Nursery
Foundation Stage for 3-5 year olds
Nursery Education Funding
After School Clubs
Nannies, Au Pairs and Home Childcarers
Babysitters

Options for Childcare

What sort of care is available?

You know what's best for your child. When considering what childcare options are available to you, you need to take into account the age of your child and how many hours of care you need. The Family Information Service can advise either over the phone what your options are or we can send a booklet entitled "The Essential Guide to Childcare". Telephone 01628 507587. Once you have an idea of what type of childcare you are interested in the Family Information Service can send a parent pack, which provides information on all the registered settings in the borough and we can also provide a specific search, for example we can search for all available childminders within 2 miles of your home address. If you would prefer you can search yourself by going to your local Family Services Directory or the National Family Information Directory. Take some time to find out about the options and visit as many as you can.

All registered providers offering childcare will have been issued a certificate from Ofsted providing details of the number of children, age range and qualifications of the staff or provider. Anyone who works with children and young people will have had a police check (CRB check), and the nursery settings and childminders have regular inspections from Ofsted. The Borough's development officers ensure that standards are being maintained. They should also have available their policies on key issues such as health and safety, and child protection.

Providing the childcare provider is registered with Ofsted, including the voluntary register, parents and carers can get financial help with those costs through tax credits.

Sure Start aims to ensure that parents and carers of children aged 0 -5, have access to a range of childcare options, plus health advice, family support and information about early years education. For more information contact FIS or visit the Sure Start Website. FIS can also provide information about help with the childcare costs or you can visit http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/.

Choosing a childminder

Childminders

Childminders are self employed. They look after children in the childminder's home. Most will work early mornings, evenings and some will work at the weekends and during the holidays. They can usually provide a flexible option and hours can be arranged to suit parents and carers. You can see a local listing of registered childminders (registered with Ofsted) in the your local Family Services Directory.

Some childminders prefer not to have their details displayed on the internet. Please contact the Family Information Service if you would like a specific search based on your home location.

All registered childminders must have completed the requirements as set by Ofsted, including a pre-registration course, a CRB check, first aid training etc. Ofsted will inspect the childminder and their home before the registration certificate is issued. In addition, they are supported by the Borough, who also provide training in a range of topics such as child protection, health and safety, food hygiene and creative play.

In this area, the cost for childminding is between £3.50 and £6.00 per hour, with holiday arrangements and other terms agreed by contract.

The Childminding Plus Group of childminders operate as a network and have been trained to offer respite and support to local families where there are additional needs. The Family Information Service also works closely with NHS Childcare Co-ordinators based at Wexham Park Hospital and Heatherwood Hospital to provide information about flexible childcare.

Choosing a pre school nursery (including full day care, pre schools, maintained local authority nurseries, independent providers)

Full day care nurseries are usually open from 8 am to 6 pm. Most will accept children from three months old and are open most of the year, usually only shut for a couple of weeks. Some do offer am or pm sessions.

Pre-school nurseries (including all sessional care, Montessori and nursery schools) are usually open from 9 am to 3 pm, although some offer extended care and may stay open until 4 pm. They will accept children from 2½ years to 3 years and normally are open during term time only, closing for the holidays. The pre-school day is usually split into two sessions, am and pm. Each session is usually 2½ to 3½ hours, sometimes with a lunch club operating. At most, the option is open to parents for their child to attend all day, however it is usual for a child to attend, for example, four to five mornings a week, finishing either before or after lunch.

Maintained local authority nurseries are usually open from 9 am to 3 pm. They will accept children from 2½ to 3 years and are open during term time only, closing for the school holidays. Usually your child will be offered am or pm sessions during the nursery week, each session being three hours for a maximum of five sessions a week, depending on the nursery. Although many of these settings are attached to a school, if your child attends the nursery they will not automatically be offered a place at the school.

Independent providers - the nursery class of an independent school. Childcare is usually offered in sessions, however some can offer care for the whole day from 9 am to 3 pm or 4 pm.

Montessori schools - we are often asked about Montessori schools. If you'd like some clear explanations about the principles and teaching methods follow the link below or contact us by phone and we can send you the information by post. http://www.montessori.org.uk

Useful websites include:

http://fsd.rbwm.gov.uk/

www.daycaretrust.org.uk/.

http://www.surestart.gov.uk/

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/

What is unregistered day care?

Playgroups for children under 8 years, which meet for less than two hours per day, do not have to be registered - for example, a creche. Other types of unregistered care include mother's helps, au pairs, agency nannies and babysitters, where help may be provided at the child's home.

Au pairs/nannies (home childcarers) now have the opportunity to register with Ofsted on the voluntary register, the requirements are different from those of a childminder. However this will enable the parent or carer to get financial help through tax credits.

Parent and toddler groups are not registered, as a parent or carer should stay with the group and take part in the activities. If the parents are away for longer than 2 hours then the care setting must be registered with Ofsted. The creche facilities at the Borough's leisure centres are registered. Call the Family Information Service for a list of creche facilities in the Borough.

Parent and Toddler Groups

A Parent and Toddler Group is a great place for parents, carers and their children to gather together and join in simple activities. They can provide company and support to adults and give children the opportunity to play alongside and with others. Parents and carers remain with and are responsible for their children throughout the session.

The cost varies from just a donation to cover refreshments to approximately £1.50. Call the FIS for an up to date list of groups.

Foundation Stage

Early education takes place before and after children reach statutory school age. Children aged 3 to 5 years are in the Foundation Stage, which enables children to learn through first hand experience whilst placing great importance on their personal, social and emotional development. Further information can be found at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/. and http://www.qca.org.uk/

Nursery Education Funding

Funding is available for all 3 and 4 year olds attending a setting registered within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to deliver Early Years Education. Each eligible child is entitled to five 2½ hour sessions per week for 38 weeks, spread over 3 terms of the year. This can start in the term after a child's third birthday. From September 2009, some registered settings in the Borough will be offering 15 hours of free entitlement. If your child attends the setting for more hours than the paid-for free entitlement, any additional charges that the setting make should be clear and transparent to parents.

Contact FIS for a leaflet about Nursery Education Funding, or ask for our parent pack, the Directory of Early Years and Childcare Providers.

After School Clubs, Out of school Care, and Holiday schemes

Safe care for children is also provided as Out of School Clubs or Breakfast Clubs on school premises, or at community centres. These are also registered by OFSTED. Some also operate holiday childcare clubs for children aged 4-12. They are staffed to ensure children can be safely looked after, catering for working parents who need to drop off children early or collect late. Call FIS for a list of out of school provision, or visit the local Family Services Directory.

Holiday Activities

For parents and carers who need holiday childcare clubs, the Family Information Service produce a booklet that highlights all the clubs open during the holidays, what ages they cater for and where they are running.

Nannies/Au Pairs/ Home Childcarers

They will come to your home and often fit in with non-typical working hours. They may choose to register with Ofsted on the Voluntary Childcare Register. If they are, you can get financial assistance through tax credits. The Family Information Service have a list of local agencies and tips on hiring a nanny or home childcarer.

Babysitters

Choosing a babysitter? What should a parent be aware of when choosing a babysitter? A babysitter should be aged at least 16. Parents and carers must note that by law they are responsible for their child up to the age of 16. Click on the following link for information from the NSPCC about leaving a responsible 14 year old home alone, or even at home with younger children. http://www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/needadvice/childrenathomealone.htm

There is no law which states the minimum age that a child can be left alone but it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts the child at risk. The NSPCC recommend that most children under 13 should not be left for more than a short period and that no child under 16 should be left overnight. They suggest that parents consider the following before deciding to leave a child alone:

the age of the child
the child's level of maturity and understanding
the place where the child will be left
how long the child will be left alone, and how often
whether or not there are any other children in the household

The NSPCC also list the following key points:

Leave a contact number and address
Instruct the child not to open the door to strangers
Make sure they can cope in the event of a fire or emergency
Leave a list of trusted people, such as neighbours, or relatives to contact
Make sure that any dangers are removed - matches, chemicals and medicines, or tools
Make sure the child/children are confident to be left
Be back on time and never leave children alone overnight .

Call FIS for a list of local babysitting agencies or follow the links below. We cannot make recommendations but some agencies have qualified staff and registered childminders on their contact lists . Examples are http://www.babysitters.co.uk/ or http://www.sitters.co.uk/

The Red Cross runs babysitting courses for children from 14 years. Contact FIS for details.