 Providing childcare
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Early years and childcare training
Training information for existing childcare providers in the Borough.
 Other agencies/organisations
Starting up an early years and childcare business
There are different types of childcare provision that can be set up. The following gives a brief description of each type:
- Full day care
Nursery provision such as day nurseries and children's centres for 0 – 8 years, operating for four hours or more per day.
- Sessional care
Day care for children 0 – 8 years; sessions are run for less than a continuous period of four hours a day. E.g. playgroups that are run in morning / afternoon session.
- Crèches
Occasional care for children 0 – 8 years, sessions are usually about 2 hours long.
- Out of school care
Day care for children 0 – 8 years, before or after school and some other examples are holiday playcare schemes.
- Childminder
Care for children in the childminders home
If you want to set up one of the above types of provision, you will need to contact the Family Information Service (FIS) and request information from our Business Support Officer.
What next?
Our Business Support Officer can offer useful advice and information to people who are planning to set up a childcare provision. Contact Family Information Service (FIS) on 020 8871 7899.
These are available for people that are considering setting up as;
From September 2008 there are new arrangements for registering with Ofsted as a childcare provider.
There are now three registers:-
- the Early Years Register
- the compulsory part of the Childcare Register
- the voluntary part of the Childcare Register
The Early Years Register
You must be registered on the Early Years Register if you care for children from birth to the 31st August following their fifth birthday - unless you are not required to register your care, e.g. nannies. The 31st August following a child's fifth birthday marks the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to the end of this stage.
The compulsory part of the Childcare Register
From September 2008 you must be registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register if you care for children from the 1st September following their fifth birthday to the age of eight - unless you are exempt from registration. This is usually care for six and seven year olds, but may include some five year olds.
The voluntary part of the Childcare Register (VCR)
The VCR is a new register that has taken over from the Childcare Approval Scheme. The VCR allows childcare that is not currently able to be registered by Ofsted to register if it meets certain requirements. This includes care for children eight years and over, and care for children of any age that is provided in the child's home or is activity based.
Registration on the VCR will qualify the childcare for working tax credits and employer childcare vouchers. This means eligible parents can access financial support from the government for the cost of their childcare. It will also ensure providers meet minimum standards in providing care for children. Providers have to undertake a first aid course, a childcare course and have insurance to look after children.
Childcare in Schools
Any childcare run by the governors of a school - e.g. Out of School Care, Holiday Schemes and Nursery Education for 3 and 4 year olds, will not need to register. If childcare is provided on a school site but is not run by the school then the provision needs to be registered. If provision is for under 2s the school will need to register to provide childcare.
How to register with Ofsted
To register as a chidminder or childcare provider contact the Family Information Service on 020 8871 7899.
Providers can apply to join the voluntary part of the register online. Applications can also be made by telephone or post by contacting Ofsted on 08456 404040.
More information about registration is available through the Ofsted website.
Photos from www.JohnBirdsall.co.uk
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