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Nursery. A place where nursing is used for the care of children
Child Care. Care, control, supervision, or maintenance of a child provided for compensation by an individual, other than a parent, for less than 24 hours in a day.
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There are a range of options available for childcare in the UK for younger children pre-school. Your Families Information Service will be able to tell you about local childcare costs and options - call 0800 2346346 for more information.
Often based in workplaces and run by businesses or voluntary or community groups, day nurseries provide care and learning activities for children from birth to five years old.
Day nurseries are usually open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, but hours may vary. You can send your child full or part time, and some offer early drop-offs or late pick-ups.
Nursery schools provide early learning and childcare for children between 3 and 5 years old (some will take children from twoor above). They are often based at Sure Start Children's Centres and linked to an infant or primary school.
Three and four year olds in England are entitled to a minimum twelve and a half hours of free learning per week for thirty-eight weeks of the year. This can take place in nurseries, playgroups, preschools or with childminders.
From 2010 this will rise to 15 hours a week , delivered flexibly over a minimum of three days.
Usually nannies will provide care for children in your home, and can look after children of any age.
Many nannies live at home with the family they are working for, but whether they live in or not their hours are flexible.
Nannies' fees start at around £6.00 (£9.00 in London) per hour, but this tends to vary greatly. As your nanny's employer, you will also have to pay their tax and national insurance contributions so you are advised to use a Nanny PAYE service.
Working with parents right from the birth of their child, Sure Start Children's Centres provide many services for families, including:
Most Sure Start Children's Centres are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Some are also open at weekends.
Aside from the free early learning entitlement for three and four year olds, there will normally be a charge for childcare. Costs will vary, so the best thing to do is contact your local Sure Start Childen's Centre directly.
Usually run by voluntary groups, pre-schools and playgroups provide part-time play and early learning for under fives. Three and four year olds can get their 12.5 hours of weekly free early learning at these providers.
Sessions are usually from two-and-a-half hours to four hours, during term time, every day or for several days a week.
Usually childminders look after children under 12 in the childminder's own home. They can look after up to six children under eight years old, although no more than three of those must be aged under five. The benefit of using a Childminder rather than a nanny is that costs are shared between parents and this can be more sociable for children.
Generally, childminders work from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, but most are flexible and some may be willing to work weekends.
