Find Early Education and childcare

Research providers

• Look at different types of early education and childcare to decide what will meet your needs.
• Find out which providers are available near to your home or work.
• Look at the provider's Ofsted grade, website and social media platforms.
• Create a short list to contact and visit.

Visit providers

• Contact the providers to find out if have vacancies.
• Visit several providers and ask questions in person about the childcare provided.
• All good quality providers will welcome you into their setting for you and your child to visit.
• Ask the providers questions about open times, fees/charges, food etc.

Childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted or a Childminding Agency. Childminders work in their own homes providing paid for childcare for children of all ages. Most childminders offer funded early education places for children under the age of five.

Childcare on Domestic Premises are registered and inspected by Ofsted or a Childminding Agency. Childcare on Domestic Premises is where a childminder works with 3 or more other childminders or assistants in one of their homes. They provide paid for childcare for children of all ages and they can provide funded early education places for children under the age of five.

Independent School Nurseries are registered with either Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate, they provide children aged two to five years with early education and paid for childcare. Independent School Nurseries can offer funded early education places for children under the age of five.

Nursery Schools are registered and inspected by Ofsted, they provide children aged two to five years with early education and paid for childcare.

Pre Schools are registered and inspected by Ofsted; they provide children aged two to five years with funded early education. Usually, Pre Schools provide morning or afternoon sessions with some able to provide full days and also additional paid for hours.

Primary School Nurseries are registered and inspected by Ofsted, they provide children aged three to four years old with funded early education. Some Primary School Nurseries offer funded places to eligible two year olds. Usually, Primary School Nurseries offer morning or afternoon sessions with some able to provide full school days and some offering additional paid for hours.

Wraparound childcare is childcare you pay for which wraps around the school day (before and after-school) for primary school children.

Wraparound childcare typically runs from around 8am until 6pm, during term time, either on a school site or another local setting such as a community centre, a nursery, or a childminder.

This is different from out-of-school activities, or school clubs, which are less frequent and can be a one-off activity.