Quality Care
The key to working or studying as a parent is good quality
reliable childcare, this leaflet is designed to help you assess
what you should be looking for in childcare services both for you
and your child.
Childcare Options
Childcare can be divided into two categories - group care or
individual care.
Generally, group care is for more than three children together,
with a number of adult carers, such as a nursery or playgroup.
Individual care for one carer with a small group of children, for
example: a childminder or nanny.
What do you need to think about?
To assess your own needs consider:
- Whether you prefer a home or group environment for your
child
- The hours and flexibility you need
- Would you prefer day care to be close to home, at home, close
to work or study?
- What provision is currently available and whether this meets
your needs and those of your child.
Whatever form of care you choose you must plan ahead if you can.
Ideally you should start considering your options as soon as you
are sure childcare will be needed, and be prepared to visit several
childcare providers.
Always prepare questions and think of any issues you may want to
bring up before you make your choice. Make notes as you go along,
this will be a useful reminder for you and also places the
arrangement on an organised and professional footing from the
start
What to look for in good quality childcare
- The relationship between adult and child
- The relationship between the children
- The size of the group and the number of carers
- The relevant training and experience of carers
- The knowledge and understanding of children's developmental
needs
- The working partnership between parents and carers
- The ability to structure and support the child's learning
- The activities offered are appropriate for the age group and
includes elements of imagination, challenge and adventure
- The environment encourages respect for peoples individuality,
awareness of the cultural diversity of society, and that practices
are non-discriminatory
- The children are involved in planning and choosing activities
and projects.
Please remember it is not always appropriate for each type of
childcare provider to have the same range of activities, e.g. it
would be difficult for a childminder to set up his/her living room
in the same way as a day nursery would set out a room. Take your
time before you decide where to place your child, visit several
times if necessary.
When you visit
- Are you and your child made welcome?
- Do the other children look happy?
- Do they play and talk together or is any child alone looking
sad and unnoticed?
- Do the children talk to the adults?
- Do the adults seem to enjoy being with the children?
- Are there plenty of toys, books and play equipment, including
dressing-up clothes and a home corner set out for the children's
use?
- Are natural materials such as sand, water, etc, used
regularly?
- Is the children's artwork displayed in a way that values the
work and is it at child level?
- Do activities take into account the children's age, cultural
background and any special needs?
- Do the toys, books, equipment, activities, displays and staff
show a positive attitude to children of both sexes and of all
races, religious cultures, and disabilities?
- Is the menu varied, nutritional, and does it introduce children
to food from different cultures?
- Are the premises clean, well kept and safe?
- Are you encouraged to settle in your child?
- Will you be consulted on your child's welfare and
development?
- Has the day carer provided you with information about their
service and policies?
- Always agree a contract and have a copy of the agreement for
yourself
Registration and Inspection
Tameside Councilis committed to quality childcare for young
children. Parents need to help and support day carers in this
process by asking for high standards and choosing the provision
that best meets their needs.
The following day care providers are required to be registered
and regularly inspected by Ofsted.
- Childminders
- Private day nurseries
- Childminders
- Pre-school/playgroups
- Crèches
- Out of school schemes
- Nannies who look after children from more than two
families.
All registered day care providers will hold a registration
certificate, issued by Ofsted, and should display it on their
premises.
Providers of care who are required to register must meet
specified standards relating to the suitability of carers, safety
of premises and facilities, the care given to children, insurance
and record keeping.
Parents should not automatically assume that all carers have
been subject to police checks. Supervisors and Officers in Charge
will, but assistant staff may not necessarily be.
If you have any complaints or concerns regarding the quality of
any day care provision contact Ofsted Tel. No. 0300 123 1231
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/
