Types of childcare

Types of childcare

Take a look at the types of childcare listed below and decide which one would be the best for you.

Choosing somebody to leave your child with can be a worrying task. You will want your child to be happy and safe, with people who show love and care to them as you would. There are many different types of childcare available and you will want to choose one that is best suited to your family's needs.

Take a look at the types of childcare listed below to learn what they are. To decide which one would be the best, visit a range of different types of childcare settings so that you can compare them. 

Homebased child care

Home Childcarers provide care, education, and play opportunities within a child's own home for children of all ages. Home childcarers are usually called nannies or au pairs (a nanny from a different country who lives with your family).

Important facts/ things to consider:

  • children are looked after in their home
  • can be registered with Ofsted
  • can care for children of one or two families together, in the home of one of the families
  • may be able to work flexible hours
  • may be able to take or collect children from early years settings or schools
  • can not offer Nursery Education Funded places
  • can be found through a Nanny or Au Pair Agency

Childminders

Childminders work from their home where they provide a range of opportunities for children to play and learn.

Childminders have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

They can provide care for children of all ages from birth upwards.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • registered with either Ofsted or a Childminder Agency, you can ask the Childminder for their Ofsted Unique Reference Number (URN) to look up their inspection report
  • offer a home-from-home environment
  • may be able to work flexible hours to suit your needs particularly if you work shifts, or if your hours change from week to week
  • will often take or collect children from other early years settings or school
  • may offer care for older children in the school holidays and before or after schools
  • care for small groups of children
  • some childminders offer Nursery Education Funded places
  • may work with other Childminders or have assistants

Search for childminders

Day nurseries

Day nurseries can provide places for children aged from 6 weeks to five years, although exact ages may differ between settings.

Day nurseries have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • they usually have fixed opening times and are open all day and during the school holidays to meet the needs of working parents
  • they may also offer before and after school childcare and holiday care for school aged children
  • day nurseries may be on premises used solely for childcare, or may be on domestic premises, eg the home of the nursery owner
  • can accommodate large groups of children
  • most nurseries offer Nursery Education Funded places

Search for day nurseries

Pre-school playgroups

Pre-Schools provide opportunities care and education for children aged two to five years.

Pre-Schools have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • they usually offer half day sessions, term time only, although some may offer extended hours
  • may be held in a community building and places may be limited
  • will be registered with Ofsted
  • they may also offer before and after school childcare and holiday care for school aged children
  • can accommodate large groups of children
  • most pre-schools offer Nursery Education Funded places

Search for pre-schools

Independent school nurseries

Independent School nursery classes provide care and education for children as part of the school in which they are based. These settings may take children from 3 months of age, but more often from 2 years of age.

Independent nursery classes may not be registered with Ofsted, but will be registered with the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
They provide care and education to meet the needs of all children. 

Important facts/things to consider:

  • part of the school's registration
  • have a limited number of places available
  • may be led by a Qualified Teacher
  • you can apply for a place by contacting the school directly
  • the school may also offer places for children before and after school as a wrap-around service and/or during school holidays
  • may offer Nursery Education Funding places

Find an independent school nursery

Maintained nursery schools and classes

Children attending a maintained nursery school or classes are considered pupils of the school; however, admission to a school nursery is completely separate from admission to Reception, and a place in reception is not guaranteed.

Maintained nursery schools and classes provide care and education for children as part of the school in which they are based. These settings may take children from 2 years of age, but more often from 3 years of age. 

Maintained nursery schools and classes have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • registered with Ofsted as part of the school.
  • maintained Nursery Schools offer places to nursery aged pupils only.
  • led by a Qualified Teacher.
  • have a limited number of places available.
  • only open during school hours in term time.
  • the school may also offer places for children before and after school as a wrap-around service and/or during school holidays.
  • you can apply for a place by contacting the school directly.
  • offers Nursery Education Funding places
  • if eligible, early years pupils may be able to access nursery Free School Meals. For more information, please see our Early Years Free School Meals page

Search for Academy, Free School or Maintained Nursery Schools and Classes

Academy and Free School Nursery Classes

Children attending Academy and Free School nursery classes are considered pupils of the school; however, admission to a school nursery is completely separate from admission to Reception, and a place in reception is not guaranteed.

Academy and Free School nursery classes provide care and education for children as part of the school in which they are based. These settings may take children from 2 years of age, but more often from 3 years of age. 

Academy and Free School nursery classes have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • part of the school's Ofsted registration
  • have a limited number of places available
  • may be led by a Qualified Teacher
  • you can apply for a place by contacting the school directly
  • the school may also offer places for children before and after school as a wrap-around service and/or during school holidays
  • offers Nursery Education Funding places
  • if eligible, early years pupils may be able to access nursery Free School Meals. For more information, please see our Early Years Free School Meals page

Search for Academy, Free School or Maintained Nursery Schools and Classes

Governor Led Nurseries

Children attending a Governor Led Nursery are not considered to be pupils of the school. Governor Led Nurseries are run by the school Governing Body. These settings may take children from 2 years old, but more often from 3 years old.

Governor Led Nurseries have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • are usually inspected as part of the school Ofsted inspection
  • have a limited number of places available
  • usually open during school hours and often term time only
  • you can apply for a place by contacting the school directly
  • the school may also offer places for children before and after school as a wrap-around service and/or during school holidays
  • offers Nursery Education Funding places
  • admission to a Governor Led Nursery is completely separate from admission to the school

Search for a Governor Lead Nursery

Out of School Clubs

Out of school clubs offer children a safe and stimulating place to play outside of school hours. Out of school clubs help parents balance work and life commitments and are usually ran by members of staff within the school.

Important facts/things to consider:

  • may be registered with Ofsted as part of the school
  • can run before and/or after school or nursery
  • may take children to their school classroom and/or pick them up at the end of the school day
  • may have mixed age ranges in the same space
  • may offer Nursery Education Funding
  • may offer a snack or meal

Search for an out of school club

Holiday Schemes

Holiday schemes give children of three years and over opportunities to mix with others in a safe place during the school holidays. Holiday schemes usually offer children the chance to try new activities and go on outings.

Important facts/ things to consider:

  • they may run for all or only part of the school holidays and this may change each holiday
  • some schemes will cater for large groups of children
  • you may be asked to provide food for your child
  • some schemes will be required to register with Ofsted

Search for holiday schemes

Find an inspection report

Use the Ofsted website to find inspection reports for different types of childcare.

Was this page useful?