Types of childcare

There are different types of childcare available in Plymouth. This page contains information about each type of childcare available to help you choose what is best for you and your child.

Finding the right childcare is very important, because our children are so precious to us. It can be one of the most important decisions for a parent to make. The Plymouth Family Information Service aims to support parents and carers in making an informed choice.

For information regarding what childcare is available in your area please contact the Family Information Service on 0800 783 4259.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is responsible for checking registering, inspecting and reviewing childcare facilities for children under the age of eight. To find out more about Ofsted you can visit the Ofsted website.

Full day care

Most full day care providers or nurseries, as they are often known offer both full and part-time care for children aged from six weeks to five years of age, and are open from 8am to 6pm all year round except public holidays. Some nurseries also operate an out of school service for older children.

All nurseries must be registered with Ofsted on the early years register and may also be registered on the childcare register. As a parent you can ask to see a copy of their current Ofsted certificate and inspection report.

Most nursery providers offer the free early learning and childcare places (nursery education funding) for three and four year old children.

All nurseries are required to comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and must ensure their provision meets the learning and development standards and welfare requirements of this framework.

Sessional day care

Sessional day care providers are more widely known as pre-schools or playgroups, and are for young children normally from the age of two up to school age.

Pre-school settings generally offer 2½ or 3 hour sessions with some settings offering two sessions within a day. Some pre-schools may also offer a lunch club and they will tend to open during term time only in line with local schools.

All pre-schools must be registered with Ofsted on the early years register and may also be registered on the childcare register. As a parent you can ask to see a copy of their current Ofsted certificate and inspection report.

Most pre-schools will offer the free early learning and childcare places (nursery education funding) for three and four year old children.

All pre-schools are required to comply with the EYFS and must ensure their provision meets the learning and development standards and welfare requirements of this framework.

Out of school provision

Out of school provisions include after school clubs, holiday clubs and breakfast clubs and are mainly for children aged four to twelve years.

• Breakfast clubs are open in the morning before school starts. Children will have their breakfast here and will be taken to school.
• After school clubs collect children from school and care for them up until 6pm.
• Holiday clubs are open during most school holidays between 8am and 6pm.

Most out of school services must be registered with Ofsted on either the early years register, childcare register or both. As a parent you can ask to see a copy of their current Ofsted certificate and inspection report.

All out of school provisions that are registered on the Early Years Register will be required to comply with the EYFS requirements.

Childminders

A childminder is someone who looks after children in their home for more than two hours a day and is paid for this service.

All childminders must be registered with Ofsted on either the early years register, childcare register or both. As a parent you can ask to see a copy of their current Ofsted certificate and inspection report.

Some childminders will offer the free early learning and childcare places (nursery education funding) for three and four year old children.

All childminders who are registered on the early years register are required to comply with the EYFS and to ensure their provision meets the learning and development standards and welfare requirements.

Crèches

Crèches generally provide occasional care for children under eight for four hours or less each day for the convenience of parents who plan to stay on the premises where care is being provided or within the immediate area.

Crèches have no long-term commitment to provide care for children, and covers services where children do not necessarily attend every day, for example, a shoppers’ crèche, or a crèche attached to a children's centre, sports centre or adult learning centre.

Some of these providers are exempt from registering with Ofsted, however they can choose to be registered on the voluntary part of the childcare register. This will enable parents apply for child tax credits.

Independent schools

These schools are independent of local authority or government control. An independent school may offer nursery education to children aged three and four and may claim nursery education funding for these children from the local authority. These providers must be registered on the Early Years Register if providing care for children in the early years age range and can be registered on the childcare registers.

Independent schools are owned privately and are registered with the Department for Education and Skills, but make their own arrangements concerning staff numbers, qualifications and curriculum.

Home childcarers

A home childcarer is a person who cares for children (aged from birth to 17 years) in the childs own home or for children of no more than two families, wholly or mainly at the home of one or both families at any one time, such as a nanny share.

If a person cares for the children of three or more families at any one time, the law says they are no longer a home childcarer but a childminder.

These providers are exempt from registering with Ofsted, but can choose to register on the voluntary part of the childcare register.

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