Childcare options

My children are under school age

If you want to do a course you could consider one of the following:

• Childminder
• Nanny
• Nursery or Creche
• Pre-school service
• Study options if you've got children

My children are at school

If your course takes place outside of school hours you could consider:

• Out of school schemes and kids clubs
• Childminder or nanny for outside school hours
• Study options if you've got children

A combination of these may help you fit your learning around your children.

You could also find a course that fits in with school hours - call us on freephone 0800 100 900 to find a course near you.

Whichever you choose make sure to check out the quality of care.

If your course doesn't run at the time you want, check with the course provider. They may allow you to start late or finish early, giving you notes for anything you miss.

Childminders

Childminders look after children in their own home for a fee. Get advice on how to choose a childminder from:

• National Childminding Association
• Scottish Childminding Association
• Northern Ireland Childminding Association

Nannies

Nannies care for your child in your own home and can live in your house or be employed on a daily basis (this might suit you if you study at irregular times, when other childcare isn't available).

You'll need to vet nannies and check references, as they're not legally required to hold qualifications, although many do. There's no central registration body. Most people share nannies to spread the cost.

You can find a nanny by using an agency or by advertising. Agencies are listed in your local telephone directory. Nursery World and The Lady list agencies and nannies looking for work. Visit Surestart for more info on finding a nanny.

Nurseries and créches

These can be private, run by a local authority, based in a workplace or in the community. They're for children from birth to 5 years old and are usually open all day, but not evenings or weekends.

Many colleges and course providers also have a créche or nursery, usually offering subsidised rates to students. Apply early as they can fill up quickly.

Find out more about nurseries from the National Day Nurseries Association.

Pre-schools for under school-age children

For a small fee pre-schools will care for your child for a few hours a day. They may be suitable if your course is part-time or if you're on a full-time course and are using another form of childcare. For more info visit:

• Pre-school Learning Alliance (England)
• Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association
• Scottish Pre-school Play Association
• NIPPA - The Early Years Organisation

Out of school schemes and kids' clubs

These are for primary age schoolchildren, operating before and after school. Some open during school holidays. Find out more about them at your local Children's Information Service (CIS), school, library, Local Education Authority (LEA) or download a free booklet How to find the best out of school childcare from the 4Children website.

Parent/carer and toddler groups

These are run by parents and carers. As the parents and carers are with their children, these groups don't have to be registered. Your local Children's Information Service (CIS) may have listings of local groups or you can ask your library, and check local newspapers and notice boards.

For in-depth advice on choosing childcare, you can:

• visit your local Children's Information Service (CIS). To find your local CIS visit Childcare Link or call the Childcare Information Helpline on 0800 2346 346
• visit the Daycare Trust or call them on 020 7840 3350.

Your local Children's Information Service will also be able to put you in touch with all types of local childcare providers.

How can I be sure of the quality of care?

All types of childcare for children under the age of eight need 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.

You can find out more about these standards and key questions to ask from the Daycare Trust (choose Information for Parents/ Quality and Standards in Childcare) or OFSTED.

Before you decide on childcare, ask:

• what the children-to-carer ratio is
• which qualifications and experience the carers have
• what your child will be doing
• how much you can be kept up-to-date and get involved.

Working Families provides guidance on how to choose and what to ask.

Related articles:

• study options if you have children
• help with the cost of childcare
• organisations that can help
• returning to work or learning