Childcare

Settling your child into their childcare setting

Types of childcare

Students with children may need to put in place childcare arrangements to organise their study and family lives effectively.

In the UK the main types of childcare providers are:

Nurseries

Nurseries provide care and early-years education for young babies through to children reaching the age that they go into full-time primary school education at reception level, typically when the child is four or five years old. Nurseries can be run as children’s centres by the local authority, sometimes with services extending to out-of-school care; as independent, privately owned businesses; or within the voluntary, not-for-profit sector. Nurseries are regulated by Ofsted.

Childminders

A childminder is someone who has to be registered to provide care for children under eight in their (the childminder’s) home for more than two hours a day. They are self-employed and have variable availability. Many childminders also provide before- and after-school care. The law requires childminders to be registered and annually inspected by Ofsted’s Early Years Directorate to ensure they meet prescribed National Daycare Standards.

Nursery classes

Nursery classes are run by some primary schools for children aged between three and five. The hours during which they operate tend to be more restricted than other childcare options. Please note that attendance at a school’s nursery classes does not give your child a privileged access route through to becoming a pupil at that primary school, when they reach the relevant age. Primary schools are regulated by Ofsted.

Playgroups

These are community-based groups providing play and learning opportunities for children with support and flexibility for parents. They generally operate on a sessional basis in community or church halls. They are predominantly funded by parental contributions and government grants, where applicable. Groups which run sessions of more than two hours’ duration are required to register with Ofsted.

Before and after school clubs

These clubs (including breakfast and homework clubs) offer care for school-age children to support parents whose study / work makes this arrangement necessary and/or who want the social enrichment that this opportunity offers. Some are provided directly by schools; others are run as businesses. Those run as businesses are required to register with Ofsted. Those run by schools do not have to register separately, as the school will be registered with Ofsted in any case as a statutory obligation.

Playschemes

Playschemes provide day care for children during the school holidays. Some offer full day care; some are slightly shorter than the full working day; and some offer sessional care only (morning or afternoon). All holiday playschemes that cater for children from the age of four upwards and those that run for more than six days are required to be registered and inspected by Ofsted.

Parent and toddler groups

Community groups are a good place to meet other parents and children.

Ofsted

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, established by the government to inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. In particular for these purposes, Ofsted is responsible for checking that day care providers and childminders throughout England meet the prescribed national standards giving assurance to parents that their children are in good care.

Providers registered with Ofsted have a formal Registration Certificate, which you should ask to see when placing your child in their care. If you experience difficulties with this, you can contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can submit an online enquiry.

Securing the right childcare provider

Choosing from the available options is a big decision and securing the right setting for your child can be a challenge. Ensure that you make enough time to research the types of setting and the available providers fully. Read provider websites, visit their premises if possible, and check their formal registration status, their policies and inspection reports made by Ofsted.

Childcare is often in high demand and lower supply. It is definitely not the case that you can expect to slot your child into the childcare of your choice immediately on arrival in Nottingham. Waiting lists are common. This applies in particular to popular providers, full-time places and especially places for babies.

Some Universities have their own nurseries which full-time students can apply to have their child/children placed into. However, please note that just because a nursery is part of a University, the children of parents who are registered to study at the University do not have an automatic entitlement to a place at this nursery. If possible, you should apply a full year in advance of needing a place at a University nursery. But, for a variety of reasons, you may not be able to apply this far in advance. Some providers may have short waiting lists (or, if you are lucky, none), but the strong message is: plan ahead as much as you can and apply early.

The University of Bradford has its own nursery. As well as staff on permanent/fixed-term contracts, full-time students registered at the University are eligible to apply for a place.
The University of Leeds has an onsite nursery called Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre.
The University of Nottingham has its own Day Nursery. As well as staff on permanent/fixed-term contracts, full-time students registered at the University are eligible to apply for a place.

Settling your child into their childcare setting

Some settings require a settling-in period for children placed in their care. This generally takes the form of shorter sessions, often with you (or your partner) there for some of the time. So please don’t make assumptions about the provider taking on your child for the full extent of your childcare time needs at the outset. You will need to check what the individual provider’s expectations are on this issue.

Paying for childcare

Costs

Childcare costs in the UK are substantial by some international standards and can consume a sizeable chunk of a family’s budget. We are aware that international students in particular are often surprised at how high the costs can be, so make sure you research fee levels thoroughly as early as possible and make adequate provision in your overall budgeting.

Costs can vary according to the type you opt for and the hours you need. Nurseries generally work to a full or a half-day rate. Childminders usually operate on an hourly, daily or weekly rate. Whatever setting you choose, don’t be surprised if you are asked to pay a deposit to secure a place and/or some fees upfront. You also need to be clear whether there are any add-on costs and how much these are, for example for meals, milk and nappies (diapers).

Please visit the Gov.UK website to find out more information and the upcoming changes to help with childcare costs: please click here for more information.

University specific advice:

The University of Bradford provides web pages on funding for students with children, including possible institutional support in the form of scholarships, student support fund and an undergraduate bursary scheme.

The University of Leeds provides web pages on childcare options.

Leeds Beckett University has webpages on support and assistance for student parents.

The University of Nottingham provides web pages on Childcare Services Financial Support, which include information on Day Nursery student subsidy, the University’s Childcare Support Scheme and its Access to Learning Fund.

Nottingham Trent University’s website includes information on available financial support for students with children, which includes a section on the University’s Summer Vacation Fund.

Helpful Links

For more information please visit the relevant links below:

Bradford Metropolitan District Council offers a free Family Hubs service. The four hubs – for Bradford East, Bradford West, Bradford South and Keighley & Shipley – offer guidance and information, including advice and support on childcare, parent and play groups, play schemes and recreational activities, as well as on accessing health and education services.
Click here for advice and information provided by Bradford Council, including a search engine to help you find the childcare you want.
Leeds City Council’s Family Information Service holds a directory of childcare providers that participate in the free early education scheme and will be able to provide information and guidance on eligibility, providers and other questions you might have about childcare provision in the city.
Leeds City Council’s Family Information Service has a search engine for all types of Ofsted-registered childcare providers across the city.
Nottingham City Council offers a free Family Information Service. Nottinghamshire County Council also runs a free Family Information Service. These services offer guidance and information, including advice and support on childcare, parent and play groups, play schemes and recreational activities, as well as on accessing health and education services.
NTU does not provide its own in-house childcare services, but has put together some guidance on finding childcare.
Click here for all types of Ofsted-registered childcare providers in Nottingham, and here for Nottinghamshire.