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Types of early education and childcare providers

Parents and carers should use the early education and childcare that meets their family's needs.  Parents are encouraged to make their own enquiries about a provider before they use them.  Take a look at the differing types of providers.

Childminders (Ofsted registered)

  • Childminders on the Ofsted Childcare Register provide care for one or more children aged between three months and eight year olds, or from eight years old to 18 years old, in a home environment - usually their own.
  • Registered childminders are usually self-employed but can also work as part of a Childminder Agency. 
  • Childminders care for up to six children under the age of eight, including their own, but only three of them can be under five.
  • Childminders who want to work in the child’s home may be added to the Ofsted voluntary register and are classed as home Childcarers. To register call Ofsted on 0300 123 1231

Early education and childcare places - Eligible registered childminders in Havering can deliver 15 and 30 hour free early education and childcare places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Additional charges may be applicable for hours and services above the free offers.

Day Nurseries

  • Day Nurseries are registered and inspected by Ofsted, providing care, play and education for children from 3 months to five years old for up to 52 weeks of the year 
  • Offer full and part time places.
  • Childcare usually coincides with a standard working day, i.e. 7am to 7pm on weekdays

Early education and childcare places - Eligible registered Day Nurseries in Havering can deliver 15 and 30 hour free early education and childcare places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Additional charges may be applicable for hours and services above the free offers.

Independent, Academy and Maintained Schools with Nursery Classes

  • Independent, Academy and Maintained Schools, provide care, play and education for children between two and five year olds and are usually registered and inspected by Ofsted
  • Academy and Maintained school nurseries are usually open for 38 weeks of the year
  • Independent school nurseries are usually open for 33-35 weeks of the year.

Early education and childcare places - Eligible Independent, Academy and Maintained schools in Havering can deliver 15 and 30 hour free early education and childcare places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Additional charges may be applicable for hours and services above the free offers.

Preschools

  • Preschools provide care, play and education for children between two and five year olds and are registered and inspected by Ofsted
  • Provide part time places during term time delivered as short sessions each day
  • Usually open for 38 weeks of the year 

Early education and childcare places - Eligible Preschool playgroups in Havering can deliver 15 and 30 hour free early education and childcare places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Additional charges may be applicable for hours and services above the free offers.

Before and after School clubs and holiday play schemes

Before and after school clubs​​

  • Children aged between five and 11 years can access a wide range of play and leisure activities, though some clubs cater for children between three and 14 years.​
  • Most are based on school sites. If an out-of-school club is in your child's school play workers will escort your child to the club. If it is elsewhere, you will need to make your own arrangements for after-school collection.
  • They must be inspected and registered with Ofsted.

Holiday play schemes

  • ​Care and play for children aged five to 14 (some from three years) out of school hours, available during half term and summer holidays.​​ 
  • They must be inspected and registered with Ofsted.

Early education and childcare places – Some Breakfast and after school care providers in Havering can deliver 15 and 30 hour free early education and childcare places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. Additional charges may be applicable for hours and services above the free offers.

Holiday play schemes are not funded to deliver early education and childcare places.

Nannies and Au Pairs

Nannies

  • Nannies provide 'home childcare' which takes place in a child's home; unlike childminders, nannies do not have to be registered by Ofsted, although they may have good qualifications and long experience in childcare.
  • Ask to see references, certificates for qualifications and DBS, Disclosure and Barring Service disclosures (formerly known as CRB checks).
  • Nannies, au pairs and parents cannot apply for their own DBS disclosure. Agencies may do this for them. See the Home Office website to find out more.
  • Nannies may apply for registration on the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare* Register if they care for one or more children aged from birth to 17, wholly or mainly in the home of one of the children, for a continuous period of at least two hours in any one day, or for a period of less than two hours when the childcare provided starts or ends outside normal school hours.

 *Ofsted Voluntary Register

  • The voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register allows providers for whom Ofsted registration is not compulsory to register as Childcarers.
  • By joining the voluntary part of the register, providers show parents that they meet certain requirements designed to safeguard children relating to people, premises and provision.
  • Parents may also be able to claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit if they use a carer on the voluntary register. Call the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900.

Nanny Shares

  • This is when a nanny works for more than one family and may look after one child on certain days and other children on other days, or may look after both sets of children together.
  • Families who have other children in their homes for childcare must check their insurance. www.thenannysharers.co.uk helps families get together and share a nanny. www.netmums.co.uk also puts nanny seekers in touch with each other.

Au pairs

  • Au Pairs, are not recommended by the Home Office for families with children under the age of three, Au Pairs are not Nannies.
  • Under most au pair schemes you should not ask them to do more than 25 hours light childcare and housework each week.
  • You should treat them as a family member with their own room and give 'pocket money' each week. Au pairs should attend English lessons regularly. Some schemes allow for more hours for more money.

Early education and childcare places – Nannies and Au Pairs DO NOT deliver early education and childcare places.

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