Registered childminders
Registered childminders look after one or more children for payment or reward for more than two hours a day, operating either from domestic premises (that is not normally where the child lives) or approved non-domestic premises.
In England, childminders are regulated and inspected by Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) or by an approved Childminder Agency. Registered childminders are usually self-employed and run their own business.
Explore Coram PACEY's Magic of Childminding campaign leaflet (PDF, 2003.36 KB) and postcard (PDF, 1215.75 KB), which shines a light on the unique, home‑from‑home support childminders offer.
You can search for a childminder on Enfield's Family Information Directory.
Once you have found a childminder and would like to know more about that childminder, you can call them on the number provided. They will then arrange a time for you to visit their setting and see if you would like to use their services.
Group childcare
This includes day nurseries, pre-schools, childcare on domestic premises.
You might choose group childcare if you’re looking for childcare for all or part of day. Children may attend group childcare from 6 weeks up to when they attend school. Registered group childcare are inspected by Ofsted to ensure they provide a safe and stimulating environment. As part of the registration process, all staff and workers in the setting will undergo a criminal records check (known as an ‘enhanced disclosure’.)
You can search for a day nursery, pre-school or childcare on domestic premises on Enfield's Family Information Directory.
Once you have found a setting that like the sound of, call them on the number provided and make an appointment to visit with your child.
The below fact sheets have useful tips about choosing a group childcare setting:
View Ofsted’s information about their inspections of registered childcare.