earlyyearsonline.co.uk

Common-sense choices/decisions to be made before viewing any settings;

• What is my budget?

• What areas/locations are appropriate (close to home/work, en-route to somewhere else or even anywhere for the 'right' service)?

• What attendance do I require, full days, half days, sessional or irregular, extended hours (e.g. before 8am and/or after 6pm)?

• What are my key reasons for seeking 'care'; work, social interaction, 'educational' or a regular break for yourself?

• What does my child need?

These basic decisions will help identify what type(s) of childcare is appropriate (i.e. Nurseries, crèche, playgroup etc.).

Having identified the type of setting best suited to your needs use the earlyyearsonline search facility to find the correct setting type in the area of your choice.

Put some time aside to visit these settings. Try to experience as many and as wide a cross section as is reasonable for you.

You should not need to make an appointment, however it is often courteous and helpful to you, to find out what times of the day are most appropriate, particularly in the case of sessional care.

To help in your selection take a checklist and/or prepare some questions that you need to answer.  We have prepared lists that are specific to the type of setting.  You are very welcome to use the most appropriate one to form the basis of your selection process.  In addition to this, also bring away and consider any printed material that is available (e.g. prospectus' terms and conditions, parents booklets etc.).

Once you have a 'short list' of potential providers from visits etc. we recommend that you ask to contact some parents currently using the provision and get their views.

We strongly recommend that parents select and organise their childcare as early as possible.  In the case of an expectant mother for example, as soon as pregnancy is confirmed by a GP, the search for appropriate childcare should begin.

Starting the search as early as possible will maximise the choices available.  Good childcare can get 'snapped up' very quickly indeed.

Please note that individual local authority inspection units may have slightly different criteria/standards by which to inspect, as do local councils. Therefore, settings in different counties and even boroughs will differ in their facilities and infrastructure but still comply with the regulatory bodies.