Choosing childcare

A childminder can be registered with either Ofsted or a Childminding Agency (CMA).

A childminder can provide care for children either in their home, or solely from somewhere other than their home residence, such as a village hall.

If a childminder looks after children aged up to eight, they must register with Ofsted and must follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and have all required suitability checks in place.

If a childminder looks after children aged over eight years, they can choose to register on the childcare register.

Some childminders are registered to provide overnight or weekend care; others may only offer out-of-school care. Most childminders offer early years government funded entitlements.

Find childminders

Day nurseries

Day nurseries must be registered with Ofsted. Most day nurseries are open all year round, generally from 730am to 6pm on weekdays. Most day nurseries offer funded early education places for eligible children. More information on funding can be found on the government funded childcare page.

Preschools/playgroups

Preschools and playgroups may offer full day care as well as offering sessional care e.g. mornings or afternoons.

Most are open term time only and are managed by a voluntary committee. Most offer funded early education places for eligible children. More information on funding can be found on the government funded childcare page.

Childcare on Domestic Premises

Childminders working with assistants are called childcare with domestic premises. Most are open all year round, generally from 7:30am to 6pm on weekdays. Most offer funded early education places for eligible children. More information on funding can be found on the government funded childcare page.

Schools may offer early years education and care for children prior to starting in reception year.

Maintained and Academy school provision

Maintained schools overseen by the Local Authority and schools operated by an Academy Trust, may offer early years provision prior to Reception year. Most offer funded early education places for eligible children. More information on funding can be found on the government funded childcare page. You should contact the school directly for further details.

Independent school provision

Independent schools may offer early years provision prior to Reception year. Most offer funded early education places for eligible children. More information on funding can be found on the government funded childcare page.

Out-of-school club provision normally opens before and after the school day and may operate during the school holidays.  As well as providing a safe place for older children they also offer constructive activities.

Holiday clubs

Holiday clubs provide childcare during most school holidays. They may only be open for certain weeks over the holiday periods. Few open during the Christmas holiday and opening hours may vary.

Some activity schemes offered during the holiday periods, such as football schemes, may be available in your local area and offered by local community groups or leisure centres.

Access more information on North Yorkshire Connect, a free community directory.

A home childcarer or nanny, is a person over 18 years old who cares for children usually in the family’s own home.

Home child carers can register on the voluntary part of the Ofsted childcare register.