Types of early education provision
You can explore the different types of childcare available below. When you're ready, use our Herefordshire Early Years Education and Child Care Directory to begin your search for suitable childcare.
Home-based childcare
Home child-carers are usually called nannies or au pairs (a nanny from a different country who lives with your family).
Important facts to consider:
- Children are looked after in their home
- Can be registered with Ofsted as a home child-carer on the voluntary childcare register bu cannot register on the Ofsted Early Years Register, meaning they cannot provide funded early education places
- Can care for children of one or two families together, in the home of one of the families
- May be able to work flexible hours
- May be able to take or collect children from early years settings or schools
- Can be found through a Nanny or Au Pair Agency
- Legal information - guidance on employing a nanny and your legal obligations (such as tax and insurance) can be found on sites such as Nannytax.
Please note, the Early Years Education and Child Care Directory does not hold information on nannies and au pairs.
Childminders
Childminders care for children from their own home and must meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered childcare settings, providing both education and care tailored to meet the needs of all children.
Important facts to consider:
- Registered with either Ofsted or a childminder agency
- Offer a home-from-home environment
- May be able to work flexible hours to suit your needs, especially if you work shifts or have varying weekly hours
- Will often take or collect children from other early years settings or school
- May offer care for older children in the school holidays and before or after schools
- Care for small groups of children
- Some childminders offer early education funded places
- May work with other childminders or have assistants
- Some work weekends
- Some provide overnight care
Day nurseries
Day nurseries can provide education and childcare places for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years, although exact ages may differ between settings.
Day nurseries must meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide education and care to meet the needs of all children.
Important facts to consider:
- Usually have fixed opening times and are open all day, including during the school holidays to meet the needs of working parents
- Often offer before and after school childcare, as well as holiday care for school aged children
- May be based in premises used solely for childcare or in domestic premises, such as the home of the nursery owner
- Can accommodate large groups of children
- Most nurseries offer early education funded places
Pre-school playgroups
Pre-school playgroups provide early education and childcare for children aged between 2 to 5 years.
They must meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered early years settings and provide care and education tailored to meet the needs of all children.
Important facts to consider:
- Usually offer half day sessions during term time only, although some may offer extended hours
- May be held in a community building so places may be limited
- Registered with Ofsted
- May also offer before and after school childcare and holiday care for school aged children
- Can accommodate large groups of children
- Most pre-schools offer early education funded places
Independent school nurseries
Independent school nursery classes provide ca and education for children as part of the school in which they are based. These settings may accept children from as young as 3 months old, though more commonly from 2 years of age. They offer care and education tailored to meet the needs of all children.
Independent nursery classes may not be registered with Ofsted, but are registered with the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Important facts to consider:
- Part of the school's registration
- Have a limited number of places available
- May be led by a qualified teacher
- You can apply for a place by contacting the school directly
- The school may also offer places for children before and after school as a wrap-around service and/or during school holidays
- May offer early education funding places
Maintained nursery schools and classes
Children attending a maintained nursery school or nursery class are considered pupils of the school. However, admission to a nursery is completely separate from admission to Reception, and a place in a Reception class is not guaranteed.
Maintained nursery schools and classes provide care and education for children as part of the school where they are based. These settings may accept children from 2 years of age, though more commonly from 3 years of age.
They must meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered settings and provide care and education to meet the needs of all children.
Important facts to consider:
- Registered with Ofsted as part of the school
- Caters only to nursery aged pupils
- Led by a qualified teacher
- Limited number of places available - early application is recommended
- Open during school hours and term time only
- Some schools may offer wrap-around care (before/after school or holiday clubs)
- Apply directly through the school for a place
- Offers early education funding places
- Eligible children may access Free school meals
Academy and free school nursery classes
Children attending academy and free school nursery classes are considered pupils of the school while they are in the nursery. However, admission to a school nursery is entirely separate from admission to Reception, and attending the nursery does not guarantee a place in the school's Reception class.
Academy and free school nursery classes provide education and care for children as part of the school in which they are based. These settings may accept children from 2 years of age, although most offer places from age 3.
These nursery classes have to meet the same Ofsted standards as all other registered early years providers.
Important facts to consider:
- Part of the school's Ofsted registration
- Limited number of places available
- May be led by a qualified teacher
- You can apply for a place by contacting the school directly
- The school may offer wrap-around care (before/after school and/or during school holidays)
- Offers early education funding places
- Eligible children may access nursery Free school meals
Governor-led nurseries
Children attending a governor-led nursery are not considered pupils of the school. These nurseries are operated by the school's governing body, rather than being directly part of the school's statutory provision.
Governor-led nurseries may admit children from the age of 2, although most commonly they offer places from the age of 3. Like all registered early years providers, they are required to meet the same Ofsted standards and must provide high-quality care and education that supports the individual needs of every child.
Important facts to consider:
- Usually inspected as part of the school Ofsted inspection
- Limited number of places available
- Typically open during school hours and term time only
- Apply directly through the school for a place
- The school may offer wrap-around care (before/after school and/or during school holidays)
- Offers early education funding places
- Admission is separate from school admission – attending the nursery does not guarantee a place in the school
Out of school clubs
Important facts to consider regarding out of school care:
- May be registered with Ofsted as a standalone out of school provision or as part of a daycare registration
- Alternatively, may be registered as part of the school's Ofsted registration
- Can operate before and/or after school or nursery hours
- May have mixed age ranges of children in the same setting
- May offer early education funding
- May offer a snack or meal as part of the care service
For further information on wraparound childcare please email the Herefordshire Wraparound Team at wraparound@herefordshire.gov.uk
Holiday schemes
Holiday schemes give children aged 3 years and over opportunities to mix with others in a safe place during the school holidays. Holiday schemes usually offer children the chance to try new activities and go on outings.
Important facts to consider:
- May run for all or only part of the school holidays and this may change each holiday
- Some schemes will cater for large groups of children
- You may be asked to provide food for your child
- Some schemes are required to register with Ofsted, depending on their size and services offered