Nurseries

• About nurseries
• What do they provide?
• What will they charge?
  • Early years free entitlement
• Find a nursery
• Further Information

About nurseries

Nurseries provide care and education for children from as young as six weeks to pre-school five year olds, however some only cater for children over two years.

Full day care is offered normally from 8am until 6pm. Parents can choose to use days and hours within these core times to suit their needs.

All costs are met by the parent until the child reaches the age of three when they become eligible for some free part time sessions.

There are three main types of nurseries

• council nurseries
• private nurseries
• community nurseries

All nurseries are registered and inspected by the Office for Education Standards (Ofsted). Reports are available on the Ofsted website (external link)

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What do they provide?

Nurseries provide a wide range of activities offering children the opportunities to experiment and learn through play activities.

Nurseries will refer to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which gives guidance and support to ensure the nursery is stimulating and helps create effective planning and teaching for children under 5.

The children are usually placed in small groups with key workers. The key worker takes a special interest in the child throughout their time in the nursery and the bond they develop helps the child to settle in and gain confidence in the nursery.

Throughout the day the children tend to follow a routine of play, meals, rest, etc as similar to a home environment as possible. Speak to the nursery about how they use the EYFS to support children.

You can find a guide for parents on the EYFS website (external link). See also the  What to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): a guide for parents (PDF, 6MB) for more information.

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What will they charge?

Costs can vary according to how many hours a week your child attends, how old they are, if the nursery is council, private or voluntary, and where they are situated (see the childcare costs page for more information).

Are you entitled to free childcare?

See our early years free entitlement page for more information.

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Find a nursery

See the Childcare In Haringey for searchable lists of:

• all nurseries in Haringey, or
• all school nurseries in Haringey

See also information on early years free entitlement.

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Further information

Family Information Service

• Tel 020 8489 1000
• Email early.years@haringey.gov.uk
• Website Family Information Services Directory (FISD) website

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