Choosing quality childcare in Haringey

• Choosing quality childcare
• Registered and non-registered childcare
• Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Further information

See also: Paying for childcare

Choosing quality childcare

Choosing high quality childcare can give your child the best start in life, but how do you know what is high quality? These tips should help you make an informed decision:

1. Starting early is important.
   Many childcare settings will have waiting lists so it is a good idea to register your child as soon as possible (some parents choose to do this in pregnancy).
2. Do a lot of research.
   Choosing the right childcare for your family will depend on a number of factors including the age development and length of care you require. You can find details of the different types of childcare in Haringey on the Family Information Service Directory (FISD). The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) (external link) monitor the quality of childcare and you can read the latest inspection reports on their website (external link). Talk to other parents that use the settings you like to get advice.
3. Visit the setting and ask questions.
   See our Parents guide to choosing quality childcare page for more information and guidance.
4. Keep in touch with the childcare setting.
   Once you have made you choice, it is important to continue to be in contact with the setting and maintain a good relationship.

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Registered and non-registered childcare

There are 2 types of childcare:

• registered
• non-registered

Registered childcare

Registered childcare is childcare that is registered and inspected by Ofsted. The different types of registered childcare available are listed below with an approximate age range:

• Nurseries (0-5 years)
• Childminders (0+ years)
• Children's Centres (0-5 years)
• Nursery classes within schools (3-4 years)
• Pre-schools and playgroups (2 years 6 months to 4 years)
• Out of School childcare (5+ years) - for school aged children. This runs before school, after school or during holidays

Non-registered childcare

Not all childcare has to be registered with Ofsted. There is a second group of people who can choose whether to join the voluntary part of the childcare register if they want to be registered.

This group includes:

• People who care for children aged 8 years and over
• Home based childcare - childcare in your home provided by nannies, au pairs, baby sitters, mothers' help/aid.
• Other providers not currently required to register such as those who provide sports coaching, some after school clubs, etc.

Provision where parents remain onsite or in close proximity to their children such as parent toddler groups or shoppers' crèche operating up to 4 hours each day.

One of the benefits of providers being registered is that it can reduce your childcare costs and enable you to apply for tax credits.

Important: You should check references of any child carer you employ. Agencies should provide this information for you, including an up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

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Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Childcare providers must make 'reasonable adjustments' to include disabled children as a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

For further information visit the Family Information Service Directory website and carry out a search for 'children with disabilities' or 'SEN' or call Haringey's Disabled Children's Team on 020 8489 3671.

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Contact details

Family Information Service
225 High Road
Wood Green
N22 8HQ

Tel 020 8489 1000
Email early.years@haringey.gov.uk
Web Family Information Service Directory website

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