Types of childcare

Need a little extra help choosing the right childcarer? Whether it’s a childminder or a nanny you’re looking for, here you can read a quick guide to the different types of childcare available to you.

For a more comprehensive overview of childcare take a look at our Looking for childcare section. This aims to help you make the right choice for you and your child when it comes to choosing suitable childcare.

Nannies

Nannies look after your children in the family home, usually while you are working. They can provide high quality, flexible childcare in the familiar surroundings of the family home. They can look after children of any age and should provide plenty of fun and learning opportunities in a safe environment. Nannies can often work flexible hours and can be a suitable option if you work at times when other forms of childcare are not available. Types of nanny you may come across include:

• Live-in nannies
  This type of nanny lives with the family they are working for, who provides them with food and a private bedroom in addition to their salary
  
• Daily nannies
  This type of nanny comes to the family home each day. Baby-sitting in the evenings might be arranged as part of the terms of employment, or in exchange for extra pay
  
• Nanny-share
  An arrangement whereby a nanny is shared by two families. If a nanny is shared by more than two families, they may be required to register as a childminder

Not all nannies are trained and there are no legal requirements for a person applying for a job as a nanny. Nannies can, however, now be registered by Ofsted on the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR).

Using registered childcare will give you greater reassurance that essential standards have been met. Also, eligible parents who use registered childcare can access financial support through the childcare element of working tax credits or employer supported childcare vouchers. For more information on registering your nanny contact Ofsted.

Mother's helps

Mother’s helps usually work alongside you, helping with childcare and general household work. Mother’s helps are unlikely to have formal childcare qualifications, but may be experienced.

Maternity nurses

These are specially trained to take care of new babies for up to three months after the birth. They generally live with the family.

Au pairs

These are single young people, who come from a member state of the European Community or one of a limited number of other countries*. They come to the UK to study English and, while staying with families, help in the home for a maximum of five hours a day. They must have at least two full days off each week, and be provided with meals, an allowance and their own room.

Au pairs are not usually trained to work with children and therefore are not generally considered as being suited to looking after pre-school children while you are at work. However, they can be a good option for providing after-school childcare.

Childminders

A childminder is a professional childcarer who provides safe, good quality care on domestic premises, usually the childminder’s own home. To look after children under the age of eight they must be registered with, and be inspected by, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Although Ofsted will expect childminders to meet required standards of care, it is up to you as the parent(s) to negotiate with them the exact terms and conditions of their employment.

* For further information telephone the Immigration and Nationality Department on 08706 067766.