Finding Childcare
Finding childcare
There are hundreds of quality childcare providers on offer across County Durham to meet your childcare needs. We have everything you need to know about childcare in one place!
Childcare providers are Ofsted registered, unless they do not require a registration. For more information on when registration is not required, please read the Ofsted guidance: Become a registered early years or childcare provider in England.
If you have any questions or would like to tell us how you got on in your search for childcare, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits of formal childcare
Formal childcare is childcare provided by a private, voluntary or independent provider i.e. a childcare business. Informal childcare is childcare provided by a relative or friend (an informal agreement).
Benefits for children
- Improved educational, emotional and social development
- More likely to become independent
- Increased concentration
- Your child will learn and develop through activities suitable for their age in a group environment
Benefits for parents
- Can be used to fit around your daily routines and can support you in training or work
- Financial support may be available
- You can be confident that your child is being cared for by appropriate qualified staff in a safe and stimulating environment
Types of formal childcare
There are many types of formal childcare available catering for a variety of age ranges, over a number of hours. Formal childcare is childcare provided by a private, voluntary or independent provider i.e. a childcare business.
Childminders
Childminders usually work in their own home and are self-employed. At any one time, childminders are usually allowed to care for six children under eight years old (including their own), and of these, no more than three can be under five years old.
Childminders can choose to drop off and collect from schools and/or nurseries, as well as offer flexible hours to meet the parents/carers needs. Some even offer overnight or weekend care.
Some childminders offer free early learning for three and four year olds, as well as free play and learn for two year olds. Childminders caring for children under five years old, are required to show that they are meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
All childminders listed are Ofsted registered which allows eligible families to get help towards childcare costs
Nurseries
Private, voluntary and independent nurseries offer full and/or part time care for children from birth to five years. Nurseries usually open all year and tend to operate from 7.30am – 6.00pm during weekdays (each setting can vary).
Some nurseries offer free early learning for three and four year olds, as well as free play and learn for two year olds. Nurseries are required to show that they are meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Some nurseries also have out of school and holiday schemes for school aged children
All nurseries listed on our website are Ofsted registered which allows eligible families to get help towards childcare costs.
Durham County Council nurseries
Durham County Council (DCC) maintained nursery schools and nursery units are different from nurseries and pre-school playgroups as they only offer sessional care during term time to those eligible for the free early learning for three and four year olds. Some also offer free play and learn for two year olds.
DCC nurseries must follow the DCC nursery admissions procedure when enrolling free early learning places for three and four years olds.
Find a Durham County Council nursery
Out of school clubs
Out of school clubs provide care for school aged children. All out of school clubs listed on our website are Ofsted registered which allows eligible families to get help towards childcare costs.
Some out of school clubs offer school drop off and collection services. Typical opening hours are from 8.00am – 9.00am and 3.00pm – 6.00pm, weekdays during term time.
Some out of school clubs offer holiday schemes to care for children and young people during the school holidays.
Pre-school playgroup
Pre-school/playgroups offer part time sessional care usually during term time for children aged two and a half to five years. Children can be left by parents/carers for a couple of hours at a time. Some sessional care is registered and inspected by Ofsted, others do not require registration - for more information visit Gov.uk's page become a registered early years or childcare provider in England.
Some pre-school playgroups offer free early learning for three and four year olds, as well as free play and learn for two year olds
Holiday scheme
Holiday schemes are for school aged children. Typical opening hours from 8.00am – 6.00pm weekdays during school holidays. All holiday schemes listed on our website are Ofsted registered which allows eligible families to get help towards childcare costs.
Toddler groups
Toddler groups are short play sessions for toddlers. Parents/carers must supervise their child/children at all times. Toddler groups are not a form of childcare, but they can be a good way to make friends and encourage your child/children to interact with other children
Nannies/Home Childcare
Nannies work in your own home and care for children from birth to sixteen years old
You employ a nanny and as such have legal responsibilities. Visit Gov.uk's employing someone to work in your home page for more information.
Nannies can choose to go through a voluntary registration with Ofsted to allow eligible families get help towards childcare costs. Our website only lists advertised Ofsted registered nannies and nanny agencies as they have undergone checks.
Leaving your child home alone?
If you are thinking of leaving your child home alone or with a babysitter, please read the home alone guidance from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Useful contacts
Gov.uk is full of useful information on benefits for families. They even have benefits calculators for you to see if you can get any financial help.
Durham County Council’s Welfare Rights team can also let you know what benefits you might be entitled to, how to claim, how to appeal and more!
Struggling to find childcare?
Please remember that many childcarers can be flexible with their opening hours and/or school drop off and collections. Childcarers might also have special needs experience/training but we may not have that information. It is worth contacting all providers in your area to ask whether they can meet your needs.
If you are still struggling to find childcare, please contact us on 03000 269 995 and we will check to see if there are any non-advertised childcare providers in your area who we can contact on your behalf.
Will my child be safe?
All Ofsted registered providers undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and are inspected to ensure that children and young people are cared for in a safe environment (unless they do not require registration). Their inspection grade, along with a link to their inspection report can be accessed in the ‘read more’ section of each childcare record.
If you have any concerns, speak to your childcare provider first, as most issues can be resolved. If your concern is about a child’s learning, development or care, you can also speak to Ofsted. For contractual concerns speak to the childcare provider or your local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help.
Questions to ask - choosing childcare
Here are some useful questions you may wish to consider when choosing childcare:
- Are staff in the setting happy, friendly and welcoming?
- Do the children seem happy in their care?
- Are staff interacting with the children?
- Is there plenty of space for indoor and outdoor play?
- Is there plenty of stimulating, creative activities and toys?
- Does the setting have a clean, tidy, child friendly environment?
- What kind of activities are on offer? Describe a typical day at the setting?
- Is there a quiet area?
- Is there a good range of equipment?
- How does the setting encourage good behaviour?
- Is the building secure/what are their emergency procedures?
- Can you provide any references?
- What qualifications, training and experience does the setting have?
- How long have staff been working at the setting?
- How will the setting inform you of your child’s progress?
- Are there any outings and trips?
- Can the setting be flexible with their hours for shift patterns?
- Does the setting provide meals, drinks and snacks? Is there a sample menu?
- What experience does the setting have of caring for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Is the building fully accessible? How would the setting adapt activities and trips to make them inclusive?
Contracts
Childcare providers are self-employed. By signing a contract, you are making an agreement that is legally binding between you and the childcare provider.
When signing a contract, you might want to consider the following:
- Charges including late collection fees/meals/outings etc
- Payment method/date
- Notice period for end of contract/price increase/holidays
- Retainer fees if the child/provider can’t attend due to holiday/sickness/public holidays
