Child Carers | Local Services | Classifieds.co.uk :

Contact childminders well in advance of starting a placement and visit all childminders available to you before formulating a decision. Your initial contact with the childminder will probably be by telephone to see if you can be accommodated. At this stage, a discussion of you childcare needs arranging a visit would prove helpful.

CHOOSING A CHILDMINDER OR CRECHE
Try to remember that the childminder is probably just as nervous as you are, after all you will be inspecting their home. Have a list of questions and ask about anything of the slightest concern. Ask to see the childminder's Certificates of Registration, Insurance, Training and First Aid. The childminder should show you any toys and equipment used. Since childminders are self-employed, they can set their own rates. Ensure that these have been discussed. Once you have visited the minders available, it will probably be that there are several that you consider suitable. Make another visit, choosing a time when they are looking after children. Introduce your child to the childminder. When you come to a decision, tell the chosen childminder as soon as possible. Ensure you inform the others on your "shortlist" of your decision.

There are a number of factors, with which you need to be happy, before committing to a childminder.
Determine the following:

The experience and qualifications of the childminder.
The play space in which your child will spend their day.
Resting space.
Food and drink provided.
How is good behaviour encouraged?
Whether you child be with a regular group of others.
Whether anyone else lives in the home.

If you're not entirely happy with anything, try somewhere else.

There are a number of further signs which indicate the quality of a childminder:

Children appearing calm, safe and happy, playing and talking together.
The childminder listening to, and answering children carefully.
Activities planned to help children learn and play.
Plenty of clean toys and equipment.

Furthermore, listen to your child. They are the ones who will have to spend their days with the childminder after all. Always find out more if they seem unhappy or unwilling to attend. Trust your feelings. You know your child, and are the best judge of whether they will be happy and will thrive with any particular childminder. Always take up references, and check them back to their source if you think that's necessary. You could also ask for the names of other parents to talk to about your chosen childminding service
Inspection reports - always ask to see the OFSTED (Early Years) inspection report for the current year.

NURSERIES AND CRECHES
These can be private, run by a local authority or based in a workplace. They cater for children aged from birth up to five years old. Most offer their services on weekdays, during office hours, but not evenings or weekends.The National Day Nurseries Association is a national charity, which aims to enhance the development and education of children in their early years, through the provision of support services to members. NDNA is dedicated to the provision, support and promotion of high-quality care and education for the benefit of children, families and communities. There are 725,115 nursery places available in 15,605 nurseries in the UK.

QUALITY OF CARE
All types of childcare for children under the age of eight needs to be inspected and regulated by OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education), apart from:
Nannies.
Childminders who look after children for less than two hours a day for no pay.
Family relatives.

Before you decide on childcare, determine:

The children-to-carer ratio.
Carer's qualifications and experience.
The activities in which your child will be involved.

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FURTHER INFORMATION
A vast amount of information regarding childminders, nurseries and cr�ches is available on the Internet. Some useful sites include:

SureStart (http://www.surestart.gov.uk)

Pre-school Learning Alliance (England) (http://www.pre-school.org.uk)

Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association (http://www.wales.ppp.org)

Scottish Pre-school Play Association (http://www.sppa.org.uk)

NIPPA - The Early Years Organisation (http://www.nippa.org)

FUNDING CHILDCARE
Childcare support fund
If you're a student parent on benefits or a low income, you might qualify for money from the Childcare Support Fund to pay for registered childcare. You can receive this money directly and use it for registered childcare you've arranged yourself or you can receive it in the form of a free or subsidised place at a college nursery. If you're at college, you can apply for this through the Student Support or Welfare Officer. If you're in sixth form, you can apply through the Student Awards or Student Support Officer at your Local Education Authority (LEA).

New Deal for Lone Parents
If you're a lone parent whose youngest child is under 16, and are either not working or are working under 16 hours a week, you can get help under the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. You'll get a Personal Adviser, who'll tell you what funding you're entitled to towards course fees, travel, and childcare. Visit the Jobcentre Plus website, call freephone 0800 868 868 or visit your local Jobcentre Plus.

Career Development Loan (CDL)
If you're over 18 and planning a vocational course, you can use a CDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. For more information call 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loan website.

Child Tax Credit
How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You can claim it regardless of whether you're working or not. Call the Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the Inland Revenue website to work out how much you would qualify for and apply online.

Educational trusts and charities
You may be able to get funding from these organisations for childcare costs. Check the eligibility of each organisation and apply early for the best chance of success. Your library might stock the Educational Grants Directory, The Grants Register, or The Charities Digest. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (Tel: 020 7254 6251) will search through charitable organisations to identify those for which you might be eligible