Early years education and care

Pre-schools and playgroups offer care and education for specific sessions, which can be for a morning, an afternoon or for a full day, which is similar to school hours. Its likely that preschools will also be closed during school holidays. 

Day nurseries can take children from the time they are a baby until school age and primarily cater for the needs of working parents. They are normally open all day and offer the choice of both full-time or part-time care and education.

Nursery schools cater for pre-school children aged three and four years old. Children start to attend a nursery school or nursery class in the September after their third birthday. Most nursery schools and nursery classes offer part time places and operate during term-time only.

Childminders are based in their own homes and provide early education and childcare for small groups of children. A childminder can look after children from infancy until the child starts school, and sometimes continue to offer before and after school care for older children. Childminders are required to be registered, either on the Early Years register or Childcare register and will be subject to inspections from Ofsted. They are also required to have up-to-date DBS checks, receive first aid training and follow the EYFS. 

A home-based childcarer is a person (over 18 years old) who is employed by a parent to look after their children in the family home. Home-based childcarers can care for children of any age and can work flexible hours.