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Playsupply – The Different Types Of Child Day-Care Settings

Out of School Provisions
Breakfast and After School Clubs alongside Holiday Play Schemes cater for children before and after school and during the school holidays. Out of school provision that caters for children under the age of 8 and for more than 2 hours a day must be registered by Ofsted.

Breakfast Clubs
Normally offer breakfast and/or other activities in a safe environment before the start of the school day. Most breakfast clubs are located within school premises.

After School Clubs
Operate during term time and provide care for children after school- usually until 5.30pm or 6pm. Most settings take children from 4-11 years of age but this may vary from group to group. Most run from school premises whilst others operate from church or community halls.

Holiday Play Schemes
Offer care for children during the school holidays usually from 9am to 5:30pm or 6PM each weekday. Most settings accept children from 4-11 years but this may vary from group to group. Some play schemes offer care for the Half Term weeks, Easter Holiday and the Summer Vacation.

Full Day Care
Full day care providers care for children under the age of 8. This care is for a period of four hours or more in anyone day. Full day care may operate in day nurseries, children centres and some family centres. The main purpose of these provisions is to offer young children the opportunity to take part in educational group activities and enable them to establish independence and confidence. All day care providers should be following the Birth to Three Matters framework. Full day care also gives parents/ carers the opportunity to return to work or study.

Nurseries
Day nurseries provide full or part time education and care for the length of the adult working day i.e. 8AM to 6PM. Many day nurseries are registered by OFSTED to accept children from their second birthday but some are registered to care for babies.

Nurseries and Reception Classes
As nursery and reception classes are provided within schools to provide education for three to five year old children, Ofsted does not register them although their education provision is regularly inspected.

Children’s Centres & Family Centres.
Children and family centres provide support to families with children under the age of 8 years (who may be undergoing a period of crisis) through enhancing parenting abilities and coping skills. Children and adults attend family centres together.

Sessional Care
Sessional care provides care for children less than 8 years of age. If two sessions are offered in one day, children must have a break between sessions. Sessional care operates in playgroups and pre schools.

Playgroups and Pre Schools
Pre- schools and Playgroups provide edu-care for children usually for two or three hours in the morning or the afternoon during term times. They are registered by OFSTED and most accept children once they have reached two and half years of age.

Childminding
Registered childminders are child carers who work in their homes to provide care and learning opportunities for other people’s children. Childminders are often flexible around the hours they work and can offer an individualised and family friendly service.
Children have opportunities to visit local parks, playgrounds, toy libraries and drop in groups and can make friends with other children who go to the childminder.
Childminders must demonstrate to OFSTED how they meet a set of 14 National Standards and those who work with children under 3 years are encouraged to demonstrate good practice as set out in Birth To Three Matters framework.

Nannies
Nannies are employed by parents to care for their children at home and are suitable for parents who need flexibility. The parent is the employer and therefore responsible for paying the nanny’s tax and NICs.
Nannies are not registered by OFSTED but under the Childcare Approval Scheme, nannies may be approved which will allow families to apply for the childcare element of the WTC.

Au Pairs
An au pair placement is an arrangement where a single person between 17 and 27 years of age comes to the UK to study English. Au Pairs live with the family and provide childcare and lighthouse work.
Au Pairs are not registered.

Crèches
Crèches provide occasional care for children under the age of 8. They are provided to care for children for short while whilst parents may engage in other activities like shopping or sport.
Crèche workers need to build relationships rapidly and establish trust with children whilst encouraging them to play. They need to provide children with appropriate activities.

Classroom Assistants
They help a teacher to provide opportunities for children to develop to their full potential in an educational setting. They support the teacher in the delivery of lessons and do individual work with small groups of children.

Special Needs
The majority of the provisions listed above provide inclusive care for children with special needs. There are also provisions around the borough that are for children with special needs.

This document was last updated on 2007-09-24 15:38:45 published by the team. Document Reference:LBE_131353