Help to find childcare

Childminders

Childminders can look after children of all ages either in their own home or on approved non-domestic premises, if they are registered on the appropriate register.

They are either registered with Ofsted or a Childminding Agency. Childminders that are registered on the Early Years Register can delivery government funded early education places.

Childminders usually look after three children under the age of 5, only one of whom can be under the age of one. However, exceptions to this ratio may be made under certain circumstances, such as to care for their own child or provide continuity of care for siblings. In all cases, a childminder must not care for more than 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time.

Childminders can also offer out of school wrap around and school holiday care.

You can check the services offered and find local childminders on the childcare provider directory on the Livewell Southend website.

Childminders that are registered on the Early Years register must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Frameworkfor childminders.

Nurseries

Nurseries typically offer full day care and usually accept children from around the age of 3 months to 5 years. Many nurseries now offer morning and afternoon sessional care.

Nurseries are registered with Ofsted and follow the Early Years Foundation stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers.

You can check the services offered and find local nurseries on the childcare provider directory on the Livewell Southend website.

Pre-Schools

Pre-schools typically offer Sessional Care and usually take children from the age of around 2 to 5 years old. Their care is usually arranged over morning or afternoon sessions, or in some cases both.

Pre-Schools are registered with Ofsted and follow the Early Years Foundation stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers.

You can check the services offered and find local pre-schools on the childcare provider directory on the Livewell Southend website.

School-based Nurseries

Nursery Classes attached to Schools, like pre-schools, offer sessional care, either morning or afternoon, during term time only. Like pre-schools some may offer sessions across a day. They usually take children from the term after their 3rd birthday; however some may take younger children.

Most school nurseries are inspected by Ofsted as part of the whole-school inspection. However, if a school nursery provides care for children under two, it must be registered with Ofsted separately and will receive its own inspection. Where a nursery on a school site is run by an external provider (not by the school’s governing body or academy trust), it must also be registered with Ofsted, in its own right and will have a separate inspection.

All school-based nurseries follow the Early Years Foundation stage statutory framework for group and school-based providers

Please note that if your child attends a nursery class attached to a school this does not guarantee them a place within the school, and you will need to go through the school’s standard application process.

You can check the services offered and find local schools with nurseries on the childcare provider directory on the Livewell Southend website.

Wraparound childcare

Wraparound childcare is before and after school childcare for school aged children during term time, such as breakfast clubs and regular after school provision that usually runs until 6pm or later.

Wraparound childcare providers, if not located on a school site, can often provide a drop-off and collection of children to the school, such as childminders or out of school providers.

You can check the services offered and find before and after school provision for your child’s school in Southend on the wraparound childcare page on the Livewell Southend website.

School Holiday childcare

Holiday clubs offer childcare in the school holidays and can be run by a school or a private or voluntary organisation. They usually take children from 4 to 14 years old.

You can check the services offered and find holiday club provision in Southend on the Livewell Southend website.

The Holiday Activities and Food Programme provide free holiday provision, including healthy food and enriching activities, for children and young people from Reception to Year 11 who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals.

Other

Nannies, Au Pairs, Home Childcarers and Babysitters provide childcare in the child's own home.

Nannies do not have to register with Ofsted, however, can register with Ofsted on the voluntary register. This means that parents/carers may be able to get help with childcare costs. As Nannies are unable to register on the Early Years register, they are unable to deliver government funded early education places.

It is the responsibility of the parent as the employer to make sure that the person who is being employed will look after their children well.

Friends and relatives often provide childcare. If a friend or relative is caring for your child in the child's home, then they do not need to be registered. If a friend or relative cares for your child in their own home in return for payment, then they may need to be registered, Ofsted will be able to advise accordingly.

Childcare by friends or relatives means that you will be unable to claim any help towards the cost of childcare unless they are a registered childcare provider and care for children that are not relatives.