Registered childcare should provide a fun, safe and welcoming place for your child to play and learn. Parents use childcare so that they can work, or to give their child extra learning and social experiences. As well as childcare for children under 5, parents often use it for school-aged children before and after school or during the school holidays.
Our guidance should help you understand your options so that you can find the right childcare for you and your child.
Registered childcare means that the provider is registered with and inspected by Ofsted to look after children.
Find out more about registered and non-registered childcare.
Find information about the age range of children in different childcare settings:
Age ranges for registered childcare settings.| Registered childcare provider | Age range (this varies between providers) |
|---|---|
| Childminder | from birth to 14 years old |
| Nursery | from birth to school age |
| Pre-school or playgroup | age 2 or 3 to school age |
| Out-of-school club | age 3 to 14 years old |
Only registered childcare providers can charge for caring for children under the age of 8 for more than 2 hours a day away from the child's home.
All registered childcare providers have to meet the same standards of care and learning for children. They are inspected in the same way to judge how effectively then can do that. Registered childcare providers can all provide opportunities for children to:
Registered childcare providers can choose to register to offer funding to help with the cost of childcare.
All registered childcare providers have:
We offer support and training for people working in childcare, thinking about registering or getting a job in childcare.
A childminder:
Most childminders:
Childminders can care for up to 6 children under the age of 8 at any time. Three of these can be under 5 years old and of these, one can be under 12 months old. They are allowed to some exceptions, but only if Ofsted agree. They can work with up to 4 other people at any time, but most childminders work alone.
Nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups:
They must have a certain ratio of staff per child. This varies depending on the ages of the children they're caring for.
Nurseries usually:
Pre-schools and playgroups usually:
Out-of-school clubs usually operate from a school site, leisure centre or other location. They include:
They can offer:
They must have a certain ratio of staff per child which varies depending on the ages of the children in their care.
Just like other registered childcare these clubs can access funding to help with the cost of childcare, including funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds. This means you can choose different options, such as using:
If you're thinking about childcare:
Things you can think about:
These organisations offer more detailed guidance on finding childcare:
Contact our Family Information Service if you're having difficulty finding childcare or accessing services. They can help you find the childcare and other information that meets your family’s needs.
Find out what to do if you want to complain about a childcare provider.
