Childcare options

Choosing the right kind of childcare setting to support your child's learning and development is a big step and it is important to choose the most appropriate childcare for your family. 

A number of choices are available, including:

• Private nurseries
• pre-schools and play groups
• childminders
• maintained settings include nursery, infant and primary schools
• nannies and au pairs
• babysitters

When choosing childcare you need to decide what will work best for you and your child. You can choose to go for one childcare setting or use a combination of different ones.

As part of choosing childcare, you may want to check how providers are inspected. Ofsted is the organisation responsible for inspecting and regulating childcare providers in England. Watch this short video to learn more.

Childcare can be broken down into:

• registered childcare
• unregistered and informal childcare

Registered childcare

Anyone who cares for children under the age of eight must register with Ofsted (or a childminder agency) if they are looking after children for:

• more than two hours in one go
• 14 or more days a year
• payment or reward

Choosing registered childcare ensures that the quality of the childcare provision is regulated, monitored and inspected against a set of national standards.  

If you choose a registered childcare provider, you may also be able to get help with your childcare costs.

Unregistered and informal childcare

It's not compulsory for a childcare provider to be registered with Ofsted if:

• they care for children over the age of eight 
• the childcare only takes place between 6pm and 2am in the child’s home
• it takes place fewer than two hours a day, or 14 days a year
• they are a blood relative that provides care for the child
• they are nannies, au pairs, home educators and tutors providing care in the child's home
• no payment or reward is received for the services.

If you choose unregistered childcare, you won’t be able to claim help with the costs of your childcare.  You will need to make your own checks on the quality of the childcare to ensure your child is safe and that their needs are met.

For informal care, close family members (brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles) can provide childcare as much as they like without needing to register as a childminder.

Before you choose a childcare provider, carefully consider the needs of your child and the type of learning, development and play opportunities you are looking for. 

Below is small step-by-step guide about what to consider when choosing a childcare setting and the questions you might want to ask when visiting you preferred providers.

Nurseries offer early education and care for children under five. All nurseries must be inspected and registered by Ofsted. 

Private and voluntary nurseries (including preschools and playgroups)

• Usually offers full or part time childcare and early education for children aged 0-5 years.
• Most nurseries are open 8am to 6pm, all year round (excluding bank holidays). They usually offer full or part-time care.
• Some private providers care for very young children whilst some begin taking children when they are two.
• Popular providers can have long waiting lists and it is a good idea to register your interest early.
• Most are funded to provide free early education education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

Nursery classes in schools

• Nursery classes in infant, nursery and primary schools provide early education for children aged from 3 years old until they are old enough to attend a reception class. It is important to note that attending a school nursery is in no way linked to getting a place in the same primary school.
• Sessions usually last for 3 hours per day (or 6 hours if your child is entitled to 30 hours free childcare) and during school term time only.
• If the nursery class finishes at midday, you may want to consider hiring a childminder or using a private nursery if you need childcare for longer.

If you are looking for flexible, home-based childcare, choosing a registered childminder may be the best option for you. 

Childminders:

• will care for a small group of children in their own home
• can be flexible about the hours they work
• usually offer a range of educational activities for children to play and learn and develop social skills
• take children to local parks, libraries, drop-in groups and children's centres
• may offer pick-ups and drop-offs to part-time nursery sessions and to school
• have had training and access to regular refresher training (some also have accredited qualifications including level 3 and degree level qualifications)
• will have had to undergo checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children - these include checks on every member of their household who is over 16 years of age

Ensure you have done all your research and asked the childminder all necessary questions before signing an agreement with them.

Nannies

Nannies are hired by families to care for children in the family home. They can live in or out of the home and can be suitable for parents who need flexible childcare. 

Although many nannies do have nursery nurse or childcare training, they do not have to hold qualifications.

Nannies can register with Ofsted but it is voluntary so parents are responsible for:

• interviewing and checking the registration 
• checking the relevant reference
• paying the nannies tax and national insurance.

Au pairs 

Au pairs will work a set amount of hours for the host family, usually doing a mixture of childcare and light housework. The au pair may have some childcare experience and even qualifications, but an au pair is not a nanny.

For more information about au pairs, visit the British Au Pair Agencies' Association.

A babysitter is someone who looks after your children in your own home for short periods of time.

Babysitters are not registered with Ofsted and there are no regulations to govern this type of childcare. We do not hold lists of people who offer babysitting. However, we do hold lists of registered childminders and some childminders may be willing to do some evening or weekend babysitting.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the babysitter you choose is reliable and experienced, ideally with a reference or good reputation for babysitting.

If you use a babysitting agency, ask whether they interview and take up references and whether sitters are required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Recommendations from NSPCC and RoSPA on babysitters

The NSPCC recommends 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.

Both the NSPCC and RoSPA recommend that babysitters should be over 16 years of age and that parents ask for at least two references and contact the referees themselves.

More information about choosing a babysitter:

• National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

By law, all childcare settings are required to be inclusive and to meet the needs of children with special educational needs or disabilities. Our childcare directory shows you how each setting does this. If you child has very complex needs they may be able to apply for a specialist nursery place.

There are also 4 council-run nurseries for children under five that have specialist places for children with disabilities, additional needs and autism spectrum disorder. You can find out more on the options available in our SEND Local Offer.

Information for professionals

Professionals can make a referral to Brent Council’s Under 5’s Specialist Nursery Panel if they identify a child with additional needs who they feel would benefit from a specialist nursery place.

You will need to complete an Early Help Assessment (EHA). Parents cannot self-refer.

If are worried about the safety of a child, you can report your concern to our child protection team.

To complain about issues, such as disputes over contracts or fees, contact the Head or Manager of the childcare provision. It is a good idea to put your complaint in writing.

You can ask your childcare provider for a copy of their complaints procedure, which explains how they will deal with your complaint.

You should check references of any child carer you employ. Agencies should provide this information for you, including an up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.