There are a range of early education and childcare options available to support children and families in Herefordshire.

Explore the different types of childcare available below to learn more about each option.

When you're ready, use the Herefordshire Early Years Education and Child Care Directory to search for childcare providers and find the option that best meets your family's needs.

Nannies and home child-carers

Home child-carers are usually called nannies or au pairs. An au pair is typically a young person from another country who lives with a family and helps with childcare.

Key features of nannies and home child-carer provision

• Children are looked after in their home
• Nannies can choose to register with Ofsted on the Voluntary Childcare Register but they cannot register on Early Years Register. This means they cannot provide funded early education places
• They can care for children of one or two families together in the home of one of the families
• They may be able to offer flexible childcare arrangements
• They may be able to take children to, or collect them from, early years settings or schools
• Nannies and au pairs can be found through a nanny or au pair agency
• Information about employing a nanny, including your legal responsibilities for areas such as tax, National Insurance and insurance requirements, is available from organisations such as Nannytax.

Please note, the Herefordshire Early Years Education and Child Care Directory does not contain information about nannies or au pairs.

Childminders

Childminders provide education and care for children in their own homes and are required to meet the same registration and quality standards as other registered childcare providers. They offer a nurturing, home-from-home environment and tailor care to meet the individual needs of each child.

Key features of childminder provision

• Registered with either Ofsted or a childminder agency
• Offer a home-from-home environment
• Often offer flexible hours, which can be helpful for families with shift patterns or changing work schedules
• May take children to and from school or other early years settings
• Can provide before and after-school care, as well as holiday childcare for older children
• Care for small groups of children
• Some offer funded early education places for eligible children
• May work alongside assistants or other childminders
• Some offer weekend childcare
• Some provide overnight care

This flexibility and personalised approach can make childminding an excellent childcare option for many families.

Day nurseries

Day nurseries provide education and childcare for children from around 6 weeks to 5 years of age, although the ages accepted may vary between settings. Like all registered childcare providers, day nurseries must meet the required standards for education, care and safeguarding.

Day nurseries offer a structured environment where children can learn, play and develop alongside their peers, helping to prepare them for future learning and good standards of care.

Key features of day nurseries

• Registered and inspected to meet required childcare standards
• Typically open throughout the day and during school holidays
• Usually have fixed opening hours to support working families
• May offer before and after-school care, as well as holiday childcare for school-aged children
• Can operate from dedicated childcare premises or domestic premises
• Often accommodate larger groups of children across different age ranges
• Most offer funded early education places for eligible children
• Provide opportunities for children to learn and socialise with their peers

Day nurseries can be a good option for families looking for consistent, full-day childcare and early education in a structured setting.

Pre-school playgroups

Pre-school playgroups provide early education and childcare for children aged between 2 and 5 years. They help children develop the skills, confidence and independence needed for their transition to school through a range of play-based learning experiences.

Like all registered early years providers, pre-schools must meet the required standards for education, care and safeguarding, ensuring the needs of all children are supported.

Key features of pre-school provision

• Registered and inspected to meet required childcare standards
• Typically offer sessional childcare, with morning and/or afternoon sessions during term time
• Some settings may provide extended hours to meet the needs of working families
• Often operate from community venues such as village halls, community centres or schools
• Places may be limited depending on the size of the venue
• Can accommodate larger groups of children
• May offer before and after-school care, as well as holiday childcare for school-aged children
• Most offer funded early education places for eligible children
• Provide opportunities for children to learn, play and socialise with their peers

Pre-schools can be a good option for families looking for flexible, session-based childcare that supports children's learning and readiness for school.

Independent school nurseries

Independent school nurseries provide early education and childcare as part of an independent school. These settings may accept children from as young as 3 months old, although many admit children from 2 years of age. They offer education and care tailored to meet the individual needs of children and can provide a smooth transition into the school's reception class and wider school community.

Independent school nurseries are not usually registered with Ofsted but are inspected through the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) as part of the school's registration requirements.

Key features of independent school nurseries

• Form part of an independent school's registration and provision
• May accept children from as young as 3 months old, depending on the school
• Often provide a seamless transition into the school's reception class
• Places may be limited and are typically allocated directly by the school
• May be led by a qualified teacher or early years professional
• Applications are made directly to the school
• Some schools offer before and after-school care, as well as holiday provision
• May offer funded early education places for eligible children
• Benefit from access to wider school facilities and resources

Independent school nurseries can be a good option for families seeking childcare and early education within an established school environment, particularly where they are considering a longer-term education pathway within the same school.

Maintained nursery schools and nursery classes

Children attending a maintained nursery school or nursery class are pupils of the school. However, admission to a nursery place does not guarantee a place in the school's Reception class. Applications for Reception must be made separately.

Maintained nursery schools and nursery classes provide early education and care within a school setting. Most admit children from age 3, although some may offer places for eligible 2-year-olds.

Like all registered early years settings, they are inspected by Ofsted and must meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Key features of maintained nursery schools and nursery classes

• Registered with Ofsted as part of the school
• Provide places for nursery-aged children only
• Led by qualified teachers
• Places are limited – early application is recommended
• Open during school term time and school hours
• Some schools may offer wraparound care, such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs or holiday provision
• Applications are made directly to the school
• Eligible children can access funded early education places
• Eligible children may also qualify for free school meals

Academy and free school nursery classes

Children attending an academy or free school nursery class are pupils of the school while they attend the nursery. However, admission to a nursery class is separate from admission to Reception, and a nursery place does not guarantee a place in the school's Reception class.

Academy and free school nursery classes provide early education and care within a school setting. Most offer places from age 3, although some may admit eligible children from age 2.

Like all registered early years providers, they are inspected by Ofsted and must meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Key features of academy and free school nursery classes

• Registered with Ofsted as part of the school
• Places are limited – early application is recommended
• May be led by a qualified teacher
• Applications are made directly to the school
• Some schools may offer wraparound care, such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs or holiday provision
• Eligible children can access funded early education places
• Eligible children may also qualify for free school meals

Governor-led nurseries

Children attending a governor-led nursery are not considered pupils of the school. These nurseries are run by the school's governing body rather than forming part of the school's statutory provision.

Governor-led nurseries may admit children from age 2, although most commonly offer places from age 3. Like all registered early years providers, they are inspected by Ofsted and must meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), providing high-quality care and education that supports every child's individual needs.

Key features of governor-led nurseries

• Children attending are not pupils of the school
• May offer places for eligible 2-year-olds and children aged 3 and 4 years
• Usually inspected as part of the school's Ofsted inspection
• Places are limited – early application is recommended
• Typically open during school hours and term time only
• Applications are made directly through the school
• Some schools may offer wraparound care, such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs or holiday provision
• Eligible children can access funded early education places
• Admission to the nursery is separate from school admission and does not guarantee a place in the school

Out of school clubs

Out of school clubs provide childcare before and/or after school or nursery hours. These services may:

• Be registered with Ofsted as a standalone out of school provision, or as part of a day care registration
• Operate under a school's Ofsted registration
• Care for children of different ages within the same setting
• Offer funded early education places where eligible
• Provide snacks or meals as part of the childcare service

For more information about wraparound childcare in Herefordshire, please contact the Herefordshire Wraparound Team at wraparound@herefordshire.gov.uk

Holiday schemes

Holiday schemes give children aged 3 years and over opportunities to socialise, have fun and take part in a range of activities in a safe environment during the school holidays. Many schemes also offer trips, outings and opportunities to try new experiences.

Key features of holiday schemes

• Schemes may run for all or part of the school holidays, and availability can vary between holiday periods
• Some schemes cater for large groups of children
• Parents or carers may be required to provide a packed lunch and refreshments.
• Depending on the type of provision, some holiday schemes are required to register with Ofsted, while others may be exempt

We recommend contacting individual providers directly for details about opening dates, activities, costs, food arrangements and Ofsted registration status.