What is the difference between nursery and childcare?

"Nursery" typically refers to a place or facility where young children, usually toddlers up to around three years old, are taken care of during the day. These establishments focus on early childhood education, providing activities that promote learning, socialization, and development appropriate for that age group. Nurseries often have structured schedules, incorporate play-based learning, and may introduce basic educational concepts. "Childcare," on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses the care and supervision of children, covering a wider age range from infancy to pre-adolescence. Childcare facilities or services offer care, supervision, and sometimes educational activities for children when their parents or guardians are unavailable, such as during work hours. Childcare can include nurseries for younger children, preschool programs, after-school care, and even programs during school holidays.

What age should a child start nursery?

The ideal age for a child to start nursery can vary depending on several factors including the child's development, family circumstances, and personal preferences. However, many nurseries accept children from around three months to three years old. Parents often consider starting nursery when their child is between two and three years old. This age range allows children to benefit from the social interaction and early learning experiences that nurseries provide.

When should I start looking at nurseries?

It's a good idea to start looking at nurseries well in advance of when you plan to enroll your child.Generally, starting your search around 6-12 months before you plan to enroll your child is a good timeline. This allows enough time for research, visits, and consideration before making a decision.

When should I start looking at nurseries?

It's a good idea to start looking at nurseries well in advance of when you plan to enroll your child.Generally, starting your search around 6-12 months before you plan to enroll your child is a good timeline. This allows enough time for research, visits, and consideration before making a decision.

How much is nursery per hour in UK?

On average, nursery fees in the UK can range from around £6 to £10 per hour. However, the cost of nursery per hour in the UK varies widely based on multiple factors such as location, the specific nursery, age of the child, and the services offered.

How to find a nursery school place?

Finding a nursery school place involves initial research to identify suitable options based on location, fees, and educational approach. Contact the shortlisted nurseries to inquire about availability, admission criteria, and fees. Schedule visits to assess the environment, staff interactions, and facilities. Once you've decided on a nursery, understand their application process and deadlines. Some may require filling out forms or paying a registration fee. If there's a waiting list, consider getting your child's name on it promptly to enhance the chances of securing a spot. Maintain communication with the nursery staff throughout the waiting period to demonstrate your continued interest. You can easily find nurseries in your area on nurseriesandschools.org

How do I find the right nursery for my child?

Finding the right nursery involves factors like location, educational approach, facilities, and staff qualifications. Start by researching nearby nurseries, checking online reviews, and seeking recommendations from other parents. Visit potential nurseries to observe the environment, how staff interact with children, and assess if it aligns with your child's needs and your preferences for early education. Ask about curriculum, safety measures, and opportunities for social interaction. Trust your instincts and choose a nursery that feels safe, nurturing, and stimulating for your child's developmental needs. Additionally, consider the nursery's educational philosophy, staff qualifications, and the overall atmosphere. Ensure it provides a balance between structured learning and play-based activities, fostering a supportive environment that encourages your child's social, emotional, and academic development. Effective communication and a positive relationship between the nursery and your family are also vital aspects to consider. Nurseriesandschools.org is a one stop solution for your nursery searches.

What time do nurseries open and close?

Most nurseries in the UK typically operate within a range of hours that accommodate working parents. Generally, nursery hours might start as early as 7:30 or 8:00 AM and can extend until 5:30 or 6:00 PM. Some nurseries might offer extended hours or flexible drop-off and pick-up times for parents who require childcare outside of these standard hours, accommodating varying work schedules.

What is the aim of a day nursery?

The primary aim of a day nursery is to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where young children can learn, play, and develop essential skills. Day nurseries typically focus on the holistic development of children in their early years. They focus on fostering social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth through age-appropriate activities and play-based learning. Additionally, day nurseries aim to support families by maintaining open communication and collaboration. They strive to create a partnership with parents or guardians, offering guidance and updates on a child's progress while ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching environment that aids children in their developmental journey.

What is the aim of a day nursery?

The primary aim of a day nursery is to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where young children can learn, play, and develop essential skills. Day nurseries typically focus on the holistic development of children in their early years. They focus on fostering social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth through age-appropriate activities and play-based learning. Additionally, day nurseries aim to support families by maintaining open communication and collaboration. They strive to create a partnership with parents or guardians, offering guidance and updates on a child's progress while ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching environment that aids children in their developmental journey.

What age groups are in a day nursery?

Day nurseries typically cater to a range of age groups within early childhood.Day nurseries are for children aged 3 months to 5 years of age. The age groups in a day nursery often include: Babies and Infants: Nurseries may have separate rooms or sections specifically designed for infants, usually from around three months old up to approximately 18 months or two years. Toddlers: Another group within day nurseries is typically toddlers, ranging from around 18 months to three years old. These children might be in a separate area or group within the nursery to cater to their specific needs and developmental stages. Preschoolers: Day nurseries often have spaces for preschool-aged children, usually from around three to five years old. These children might participate in more structured learning activities and preparations for formal schooling.

What comes first nursery or playgroup?

Playgroup comes first. Nursery and playgroup differ significantly in their formality and educational focus. Playgroup primarily centers on play, entertainment, and introductory activities like painting, coloring, and socializing. In contrast, nursery education is more structured, emphasizing various subjects such as math and language. It serves as a foundational educational environment, introducing young children to fundamental concepts like math, language skills, and values in a playful manner, preparing them for later entry assessments into reputable kindergarten programs. The atmosphere in playschools is notably relaxed and playful, fostering a casual environment for children. In contrast, the nursery provides a child's initial exposure to formal education, setting the stage for a more structured learning journey.

Why is nursery important in school?

Nurseries are essential in schools as they provide the foundational education and social development crucial for a child's early years. They focus on holistic development, introducing basic concepts like language, numeracy, and social skills in a structured yet nurturing environment. This early exposure prepares children for the routines and expectations of formal schooling, fostering independence, confidence, and the ability to interact with peers and adults. Moreover, nurseries play a pivotal role in identifying any developmental needs early on, allowing for timely support and intervention. They serve as the initial step in a child's educational journey, setting the stage for future academic success and providing the groundwork for social and cognitive development that forms the basis for later learning experiences.

What is day care for children?

Daycare for children refers to a facility or service that provides care, supervision, and sometimes early education for children during the day while their parents or guardians are at work or unavailable. Daycare centres cater to children of various ages, from infants to pre-adolescents, offering a safe and nurturing environment where children engage in age-appropriate activities, play, and socialization. The primary focus of daycare is to ensure the well-being and safety of children while their parents are away. Daycare centres typically have trained staff who oversees the children, offering meals, structured activities, playtime, and sometimes educational programs tailored to different age groups.

Is nursery part of preschool?

Yes, nurseries are a type of preschool. The term "preschool" is a broad category that encompasses early childhood education for children before they enter formal schooling. Nurseries specifically refer to early education and care centers for young children, typically between the ages of three months to five years old.

What comes after pre nursery?

After pre-nursery, children usually progress to nursery or preschool, depending on the specific terminologies used by different educational settings. Pre-nursery serves as an introductory stage for very young children, usually between the ages of two to three, preparing them for a more structured learning environment.

How do you start a nursery?

Starting a nursery involves several key steps and considerations: Research and Planning: Begin by conducting thorough research into the requirements and regulations for starting a nursery in your area or country. Understand the legal and licensing requirements, as well as zoning regulations and health and safety standards that apply to childcare facilities. Develop a Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your nursery's concept, mission, target market, services offered, staffing plan, operational structure, budget, and financial projections. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your nursery's establishment and operation. Secure Funding: Determine the financial resources needed to start and sustain the nursery. Explore funding options such as personal investment, loans, grants, or partnerships to cover startup costs, including facility setup, equipment, staffing, insurance, and initial operational expenses. Location and Facilities: Choose an appropriate location for your nursery that complies with zoning regulations and is accessible and safe for children and families. Ensure the facility meets licensing standards regarding space requirements, safety features, and amenities suitable for childcare. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits: Obtain the required licenses and permits to operate a childcare facility in your area. This typically involves fulfilling regulatory requirements, health inspections, background checks for staff, and meeting specific standards set by local authorities or governing bodies. Staffing and Training: Recruit qualified and experienced staff members who are passionate about early childhood education and childcare. Provide necessary training and certifications required for working in a nursery, including first aid and child safeguarding training. Develop Policies and Procedures: Establish clear policies and procedures for enrollment, health and safety protocols, curriculum, parent communication, discipline, and emergency procedures. Ensure these policies comply with regulatory standards and are communicated effectively to staff and parents. Market and Advertise: Develop a marketing strategy to promote your nursery and attract families. Utilize various channels such as social media, websites, local advertising, and community outreach to reach your target audience. Starting a nursery requires careful planning, adherence to regulations, and a dedication to providing a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children. Seeking guidance from experts in childcare regulations or business development can also be beneficial in this process.

Why are nurseries closing?

Several factors contribute to the closure of nurseries in the UK; a main reason for these challenges was inadequate funding levels, which were made worse by the impact of Covid-19. The other factors include: Changes in Government Funding: Changes to government funding and subsidy schemes for childcare can significantly impact nurseries. Economic Challenges: Economic downturns or uncertain financial climates can affect parents' ability to afford nursery fees. Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on many sectors, including childcare. Competition and Market Demand: In some areas, there might be oversaturation or insufficient demand for nursery services. Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with strict regulatory requirements, such as staff-to-child ratios, health and safety standards, and educational guidelines etc can lead to nursery closures.

Why is a childminder better than a nursery?

Whether a childminder or a nursery is better for a child depends on various factors, including the child's needs, family circumstances, and personal preferences. Each option has its own advantages. Whereas childminders have: Individualized Care: Childminders typically care for fewer children in a home setting, allowing for more personalized attention. Flexibility: Childminders may offer more flexible hours compared to nurseries, catering to individual family schedules. Continuity of Care: With a childminder, children often experience more consistent care from the same individual over time. Home-Like Environment: Being in a home setting with a childminder can provide a homely and comforting atmosphere, which some children may prefer over a more institutional setting.

Why are nurseries so expensive?

Several factors contribute to the high cost of nurseries in the UK: Operating Costs: Running a nursery involves significant expenses, including staffing (salaries and training), rent or property costs, utilities, insurance, educational resources, and maintaining a safe and stimulating environment. Staffing Ratios and Qualifications: Nurseries in the UK are required to maintain specific staff-to-child ratios and employ qualified staff, which can impact costs. Limited Government Subsidies: While the government provides some financial support for childcare through schemes like the Tax-Free Childcare and 30 Hours Free Childcare for eligible families, the subsidies might not cover the full cost of nursery fees. This leaves a considerable portion of the cost burden on parents. Location and Demand: Nursery fees can vary based on geographical location and local demand. In areas with high living costs or high demand for childcare services, nurseries might charge higher fees to cover their expenses and maintain quality standards. Quality of Services: Nurseries that offer high-quality education, trained staff, specialized programs, and better facilities may charge higher fees to cover these enhanced services.

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West End Wigglers - Baby and Toddler Music Group

Tots Play Baby and Toddler Play Programme

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Bladez Toyz

Now in their 18th year, Portsmouth based Bladez Toyz continue to create innovative toys across categories from radio control to creative play and a growing portfolio of licensed brands including Hot Wheels, Barbie, Minecraft, Monster High, Batman, Batwheels & Harry Potter. ...

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BLANKEI

British-born blankei launched in September 2021 and is a female-founded independent baby brand quickly establishing its reputation for reinventing cellular blankets for todayâ€™s style-conscious parents. We curate soft and snuggly 100% organic cotton cellular blankets in d...

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Bloom Baby Classes

Multi award winning baby development classes. Created by Early Years expert and mum of 3 Victoria Jennings.Bloom Baby Classes run sensory classes for babies across the UK. Specialists in baby development classes our programme has won multiple awards since its launch in 2017. Each class follows the E...

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Bloom Toddler Classes

Following on from our sister company, the multi-award-winning Bloom Baby Classes, we bring you the much-anticipated Bloom Toddler Classes: fun-filled classes and groups for toddlers, preschoolers and children from walking to 4 years of age. Our multi-sensory toddler programme creates an enabling env...

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Bloomsbury Education

50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP Southeast England Greater London London

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney ...

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Bloomsbury Mill

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BLOOMSBURY MILL LTD

We believe that good quality and design should be available to everyone at a pocket-friendly price. After we struggled to find great baby and childrenâ€™s products, we were inspired to create our own range of quality pieces designed with young families in mind.From the beginning, we ...

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Blossom Educational

Argyle House, Middlesex London HA6 1NW Southeast London Greater London London

Nursery management software designed by nursery owners like youBring everyone together, from parents to practitioners, and grow your childcare business with ease. ...

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Blue Mouse Agency

Blue Mouse Agency is the go to destination for sourcing wholesale designer childrenswear. Our portfolio of brands is constantly evolving as our customer base expands. Our aim is to provide a range of brands suitable for every store and to be the one stop destination on your buying calendar.We specia...

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Bluebell and Lace Photography

Ferriby High Road , North Ferriby, United Kingdom

My beautiful photography studio in East Yorkshire is easily accessible and close to major link roads for Hull and East Yorkshire. It offers the perfect setting for newborn, baby and family photographs, capturing the milestones in your life including, cake smashes, children's and maternity sessions.W...

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BlueSky Education

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BLW ESSENTIALS

BLW Essentials are dedicated to supporting parents in the exciting and sometimes challenging journey of introducing solid foods to their little ones. Founded by parents, we understand the importance of providing healthy and nutritious meals for your baby or toddler. That's why we offer a range of hi...

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BOLDCUBE

The attention to detail can be seen on every scooter. From busy school runs to city commute, we build products that put the riderâ€™s experience and safety first. And, our designs are for everyone. The variety of styles is what differentiates us, our product line ranges from smo...

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BongAlong

Walthamstow and Chingford, North-East London

Fun and engaging singing, dance and drama sessions for you and your child to enjoy together. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF CHILDRENâ€™S LIVES WHEN STIMULUS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THEIR CREATIVITYWe use real instruments to create quality sounds with props and costumes for &acir...

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BONNY LTD

I love to work with fabrics, and itâ€™s been my passion since my early childhood. An old Singer sewing machine, brought by my great grandfather from First Balkan War, always caught my eyes. When no one was in the house I would rush over to this machine and teach myself how to sew.I s...

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Boogie Beat

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Boogie Mites

18 Festing Road, Portsmouth

Children Move, Learn and Smile With MusicNeuroscience demonstrates that active music making boosts early years development. At nursery; with Boogie Mites training, â€˜off-the shelfâ€™ music packs and in-setting workshops, you can support childrenâ€...

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Boogie Tots

13 Poppy Crescent, Minster Isle of Sheppey ME12 3TF England Kent Isle of Sheppey

Boogie Tots is a fun engaging dance class for under 7s, we dance to traditional party dances, action nursery rhymes, popular TV themes and catchy pop songs, it is an energetic class where everyone attending is encouraged to join in, these classes build confidence, allow the children to express thems...

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Booking Childcare

Highly qualified, professional childcare, personalised to your needs. Book support as and when!Professional Team of Nannies ...

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BookSpace Ltd

We started BookSpace in 2009 because we wanted to use our expertise to transform primary school libraries into creative and inspiring reading spaces that the whole school would love and cherish. Our roots are in book retailing and public library design so we really do understand books and readers. W...

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Frequently Asked Questions

A nanny is an experienced professional who provides continuous childcare, while a babysitter usually provides short-term or casual care for children.While both supervise and care for children when parents are away, a nanny is a regular and daily job. Nannies often take on household tasks and are involved in the children's lives. On the other hand, babysitters are temporary caregivers who are typically hired to watch the children for a set period.

Typically, full time nannies work 10-12 hour days, Mon-Fri. Most roles are between 8am and 7pm but some can go beyond these times. It used to be common for nannies to work 60+ hours per week, but this trend is declining.Live-in nannies generally work between 10 and 12 hours per day, five days a week. Most families will also expect two nights babysitting as part of the package. A live-in nanny may work a 24-hour shift or five-six day shifts for a higher salary.

Part- time nannies offer a flexible option to local childminders. While a childminder looks after children at their own residence – nannies work in your home. A nanny only looks after your kids — so they can follow your family's schedule and provide much more flexibility compared to childminders.Nannies typically have an employment arrangement with the parents entitling them to benefits such as annual holiday, maternity leave, and all other employment benefits. A childminder looks after children in their own setting and are compensated for caring for multiple children simultaneously.

A childminder offers childcare services to children in their own home for more than two hours each day. In England, childminders are required to be registered with Ofsted. Operating as independent entrepreneurs, childminders manage a small business from their home, caring for children from multiple families. To become registered with Ofsted, childminders must be at least 18 years old and provide childcare in their own residence for more than two hours daily, in exchange for payment.There are certain exceptions when Ofsted registration is not required, which are set out in this factsheet from Ofsted.

A childminder is permitted to care for a maximum of six children under the age of 8 at any given time. Of these six children, a maximum of three may be young children and only one child can be under the age of one. (A child is considered a young child until September 1st following their 5th birthday). Additionally, this maximum count includes the childminder's own children if they are under the age of eight.

As childminders do not have the same overhead costs as day nurseries, they often offer more affordable childcare options. Additionally, parents can benefit from tax-free childcare vouchers and Universal Credit, along with funded hours for early years children, to help reduce their childcare expenses.

You can find local nannies and childminders on listing directories such as nurseriesandschools where you can find local babysitters, nannies and childminders. Search trusted childcare by name and location.

Connect with your group!

West End Wigglers - Baby and Toddler Music Group

Tots Play Baby and Toddler Play Programme

Bladez Toyz

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BLANKEI

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Bloom Baby Classes

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Bloom Toddler Classes

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Bloomsbury Education

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Bloomsbury Mill

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BLOOMSBURY MILL LTD

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Blossom Educational

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Blue Mouse Agency

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Bluebell and Lace Photography

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BlueSky Education

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BLW ESSENTIALS

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BOLDCUBE

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BongAlong

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BONNY LTD

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Boogie Beat

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Boogie Mites

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Boogie Tots

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Booking Childcare

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BookSpace Ltd

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1. What is a difference between a nanny and babysitter?

2. How many hours do nannies work in UK?

3. What is the difference between a nanny and a childminder?

4. What is a childminder?

5. How many children can a childminder look after at one time?

6. Is childminder cheaper than nursery?

7. How can I find a local nanny or childminder?