What is registered or approved childcare?
When you’re searching for childcare, you’ll see providers referred to as ‘registered’ and ‘approved’. But what do these terms actually mean? And how important is it to find a registered or approved childcare provider for your kids?
What is registered childcare?
Registered childcare is childcare that is on one of the official childcare registers. Each country within the UK has a different body responsible for the childcare register:
England: Ofsted operates the Childcare Register and Early Years Register (for under 5s childcare) for childcare in England
Scotland: the Scottish Care Inspectorate is responsible for registering and inspecting childcare in Scotland
Wales: Care Inspectorate Wales is responsible for registering and inspecting childcare in Wales
Northern Ireland: registration is through the local Health and Social Care Trust / Health and Social Services Board.
The registers are publicly available. This means that you can ask a childcare provider for their registration number or search for a provider on the relevant register to check whether they are registered.
Is all childcare registered?
In the UK, a provider legally must register if they are providing childcare for children up to the age of 8 years old that is outside of the child’s home and lasts for more than two hours per week. It is also possible for other providers to register voluntarily - for example, a sports coach or an after school club that only looks after children over the age of 8 might choose to go through the registration process, even though they aren’t legally required to do so.
In order to register, a childcare provider has to go through a formal application and inspection process to demonstrate that they will provide suitable and safe childcare for the children in their care. This includes proof of first aid training, DBS (criminal records) checks on staff, confirmation that the premises, equipment and activities for the children are appropriate and evidence that the provider has relevant procedures, policies and record keeping in place. Once a childcare provider is registered, they have regular inspections to check that they’re staying up to scratch.
In other words, in order to be registered, a childcare provider has to demonstrate that it meets set standards for the safety and care of the children they are looking after - which is reassuring if you’re leaving your child there!
What are the different types of registered childcare?
If you’re a new mum, chances are you’ve been rather too busy parenting to devote hours to studying the childcare provider definitions. To save adding to your to-do list, here’s a quick summary of the main types of childcare:
Childminders look after babies and children of any age in a home setting. Most childminders provide the care in their own home but they can sometimes look after children in other locations, such as the child’s home. While they’re based in a home setting, childminders offer far more than babysitting – they’re trained professionals who design activities that help your child grow and develop. Many also offer formal early education, covering the same core milestones as nurseries.
Day nurseries offer both childcare and early education for babies and children up to the age of five in a dedicated childcare setting. Children tend to be split into groups based on age and development, although this can depend on the setting. Some day nurseries also offer wraparound care and holiday clubs for primary school children
Nursery schools / classes provide early education and childcare for children aged three to five years old. They often have larger, teacher-led classes and a more formal setting than day nurseries, although this will vary by provider. Some nursery schools also offer wraparound childcare outside of their core hours and may also provide after school care for primary school children.
Pre-school / playgroups provide childcare for children aged two to five. This will normally be on a sessional basis (eg two to three hours each morning) rather than for a full day and may be run by a committee of parents, rather than a childcare practitioner. Pre-school playgroups are often based in community spaces, such as church halls or leisure centres and may share their facilities with other organisations.
Out of school clubs provide wraparound childcare and / or holiday activities for school age children. They may be run on the school site but can also be based in other venues, such as community centres, sports clubs and nurseries.
What about nannies?
Nannies and home childcarers are individuals employed by you to look after your children in your own home. They don’t have to be on the childcare register, although they can choose to register voluntarily. They also have the option to be registered with a childminder agency or childcare agency.
Nannies and home childcarers who are registered either through the statutory inspection body or a registered childminder or childcare agency can qualify as approved childcare providers.
What is an approved childcare provider?
The government offers help with paying for approved childcare. All registered childcare counts as approved. However, it’s possible for a provider to be approved for funding, even if it’s not registered.
The rules for becoming an approved childcare provider vary slightly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Broadly however, an approved childcare provider is a:
Registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery or out of school club
Childminder or nanny with a registered childminder agency or childcare agency
Registered school
Home care worker working for a registered home care agencies.
If you’re unsure if your childcare provider is registered / approved, ask for their registration number and a copy of the inspection report. Alternatively, you can look up the childcare provider on the relevant register for Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
What about friends and family?
Some families choose to have relatives to look after their children, rather than using formal childcare. This is a totally personal choice but it’s important to be aware that you might get less financial support available from the government if you go down this route, even if you pay your relation the same amount as you’d pay an independent provider.
In England and Wales, for example, you can’t get any help paying for childcare that is provided by your partner and you also can’t claim for the 30 hours free childcare if the childcare you use is provided by a relative. However, it is possible to get tax-free childcare to help pay the costs of childcare provided by a relative – but only if they are a registered childminder and deliver the care outside of your home.
Should I use registered or approved childcare?
If you’re using formal childcare for a child aged under eight, do make sure that your provider is registered - it’s a legal requirement! Even if you’re children are all over eight, using approved childcare will give you peace of mind that your child’s in a safe and stimulating environment plus it opens the door to funding, which is pretty handy for many freelancers.
However, there’s no absolute right or wrong when it comes to childcare. If you only need a helping hand now and again, or if you have some useful grandparents round the corner, you might get all the childcare you need through your family. Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose what childcare, if any, is best for your child and your family. But whatever you decide, at least you can now sound knowledgeable the next time a local parents’ coffee morning chat turns to choosing childcare!
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