Family Information Service
Types of Childcare
There are many different types of childcare offering both Full Day Care and Sessional Care within a setting or a home environment. All Ofsted Registered Childcare, including Childminders, must adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
Early Years Foundation Stage - Click here
Information about Ofsted - Click here
Childcare Information from Day Care Trust - Click here
Need help finding Childcare? - Click here
You may also wish to consider childcare from the child's perspective, we have a developed a factsheet with some factors to consider:
Read more about Childcare from a child's point of view...
Early Years Childcare Settings
Nurseries typically offer Full Day Care and usually accept children from around the age of 3 months to 5 years. Many Nurseries now offer morning and afternoon sessional care.
For more information on Nurseries and to search - Click here
Pre-schools typically offer Sessional Care and usually take children from the age of around 2½ to 5 years old. Their care for children normally lasts around 3-4 hours in the morning or the afternoon or possibly both.
For more information on Pre-schools and to search - Click here
Home Environments
Childminders can offer flexible childcare in their own home. They can normally look after a maximum of 6 children under 5 years old at any one time. Childminders are Ofsted registered.
For more information on Childminders and to search - Click here
Nannies and Au Pairs provide childcare in the child's own home. They are employed by the parent's and do not need to be Ofsted registered.
For more information on Nannies and Au Pairs - Click here
Friends and relatives often provide childcare. If a friend is caring for your child in the child's home then they do not need to be registered. If a friend care's for your child in their own home then they may need to be registered, see the Ofsted document below. Relatives do not need to be registered at all. Childcare by friends or relatives means that you will be unable to claim any help towards the cost of childcare through tax credits unless they happen to be a registered childcare provider and also cares for children that are not relatives.
Ofsted: Registration not required fact sheet - Click here
HMRC: What is registered or approved childcare for tax credits? - Click here
If you are a relative looking after young children do not forget you are welcome to attend Sure Start Children's Centres and other local activities and groups.
More about Sure Start Children's Centres - Click here
More about Baby and Toddler Groups - Click here
Out of School Care
Even if a child attends school childcare may still be required for early mornings, after school or during the school holiday.
Breakfast and After School Clubs provide out of school care and if not located on a school site can often provide a drop-off and collection of children to the school. Childminders can also offer school drop-off and collections.
For more information on Out of School Care and to search - Click here
Holiday Playschemes and Clubs provide temporary care for children during the school holidays. Playschemes that look after children under 8 years old will be Ofsted registered and are often in Nursery settings. Holiday clubs for over 8 year olds do not need to be Ofsted registered.
For more information on Holiday Care and to search - Click here
Childcare for Children with Additional Needs
Many younger children with additional needs through a disability or long term illness enjoy high quality mainstream childcare in settings in Southend-on-Sea.
Childcare for children with Additional Needs - Click here
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