Finding childcare
Your child can attend a childcare provider where through play, activities and interactions with other children and skilled and knowledgeable Early Years and Childcare practitioners, they will develop their thinking, speaking, emotional and physical abilities. Childcare can also support parents/carers to pursue educational and employment opportunities.
Childcare providers operate at different times providing care for different ages of children. The Plymouth Family Information Directory has a search mechanism to show you what is available in your area. You can also look at the childcare category, ages of children, opening hours and unique information that the childcare provider has written about themselves. Find a registered childcare provider on the Plymouth Family Information Directory:
Affordable Childcare
Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life easier. You can use the Childcare Choices website to find the options available to you to support with your childcare costs:
Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability
The Local Offer explains the support and services that are available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years.
If you cannot find a childcare place or access the number of hours you would like, complete our contact form and someone will contact you to discuss further.
Childcare provider categories
The following childcare provider categories mirror the government’s descriptions and online information. Some childcare providers provide both Early Years and Childcare for older children and may fit into more than one category.
The information about each childcare provider’s age range is available on the Plymouth Family Information Directory.
Early Years – 0- 4 years:
- Daycare provider - open all year
- Nursery - open term time only
- School based Nursery - on the school site, term time only
- Childminders– operate from their home address, sometimes using their registration to operate in an external site
- Home childcarers – care for a child in their own home
Childcare – 4 - 14 years:
- Wraparound Care – open before and after the school day during term time
- Holiday club – open during the school holidays
Ofsted registration
You can check a childcare provider's Ofsted inspection report on GOV.UK:
If you are not happy with any quality or safeguarding aspects of your childcare provider you can contact Ofsted who will investigate. Email [email protected] or call the Ofsted enquiry line on 0300 1231231.
The Early Years and Childcare Team
The Early Years and Childcare team are here to help you to access childcare that is both accessible and affordable. Childcare provides your child with a strong foundation while offering you flexible working.
If you would like some support or to ask a question relating to childcare, complete our form and someone will contact you:
Parent/Carer wraparound survey
We would like to hear your views about wraparound care. Wraparound childcare is before and after the school day, for example breakfast and after school clubs. Completing this survey will help us:
- understand the current demand for wraparound childcare
- your requirements
- support building capacity of places