Parents are often concerned about how to make the right choices when finding care for their children. There are many different options you can consider and the Children’s Information Service in the city can offer you in-depth advice and information about local childcare options. Below is a summary of some of the safety issues involved in choosing care for you children.

All childcare providers should ask you for contact details so they can get in touch with you in an emergency and a list of people approved by you to collect your child. They should also have clear instructions of any special or medical needs your child has such as asthma or allergies.

Registered childcare

This includes all of the following childcare providers who look after children under 8 years.

• Day nurseries
• Childminders
• Crèche (open for more than 2 hours)
• Pre-school playgroups
• After school clubs
• Holiday play schemes
• Breakfast clubs

Ofsted (The Office for standards in Education) are the organisation responsible for regularly inspecting childcare settings to ensure that they meet national minimum standards. If they meet the standards they are registered and given a quality grading. You can ask childcare settings to see the inspection report but they are also available on the Ofsted website.

Unregistered childcare

This includes:

• Any after school club, breakfast club or holiday play scheme only looking after children over 8
• Childminders only looking after children over 8
• Crèche (open for less that 2 hours)
• Nannies
• Au – pairs
• Babysitters

For unregistered care there are some key things you can do to try and ensure that they are safe.

• Ask Nannies, Au-pairs, babysitters and Childminders for references
• Ask for information about qualifications and training
• Ask settings if they take part in any quality assurance schemes
• Ask if they have had a CRB check (Criminal Records Bureau)
• There is no minimum legal age for a babysitter – however the NSPCC and Children’s Legal Centre recommend they should be 16 of older (it is possible for parents to be prosecuted if harm comes to their children while in the care of a babysitter under 16)

Useful Contacts for parents & carers

The Children’s Information Service

The CIS provide a range of information and advice about childcare, children’s activities, family support, financial help for parents and working in childcare. For more information contact:

Tel: (01273) 293545    

Email: cis@brighton-hove.gov.uk  

Drop in: ground floor Brighton Town Hall

Ofsted

If you want to make a complaint about any childcare providers you can contact Ofstead: Tel: 08456404040

Tax Credits Helpline

The tax credit helpline can provide parents and carers with information about tax credits, including Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Tel: 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909

Links

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

The Brighton & Hove City Council website has a range of fact sheets about each type of childcare, an on-line enquiry form for the Children’s Information Service and much more.

www.ofstead.gov.uk

The Ofstead website can provide parents and carers with copies of inspection reports for registered child care settings.

www.childcarelink.gov.uk

The childcare link website offers parents and carers a search facility for childcare and family information, i.e. training opportunities, both locally in Brighton & Hove and Sussex and nationally around the UK.