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Childcare
When
choosing childcare you should first consider your child's needs and
what's available in your area. Would your child be happier with a childminder
or would he prefer being looked after in a nursery?
Childminders are self-employed and look after children in their own
home. They have to be registered with their local authority and should
be inspected annually. As well as looking after the pre-school child,
some offer childcare before or after school.
To help your child settle quickly with a childminder, they should be
informed of the child's routine as well as likes and dislikes.
Nurseries look after and educate children up to the age of five. Most
are run privately while others are run by the local authority and are
often attached to primary schools. All nurseries have to be registered
and inspected by their local authority.
When selecting a nursery for your child check the hours are suitable
and find out what the fees are and what the fees will cover. If your
child is three years old you may be entitled to a free part-time place
and if your child is four then you are entitled to a free part-time
place. However, admissions depend on the number of places available.
Check what arrangements will be made during holidays, when there's illness
or in an emergency. These are essential considerations for working parents.
Also make sure the nursery is easy to get to from home as well as from
work.
The early years are the most formative of a child's life, so choosing
the right childcare and a happy environment will go a long way towards
the child's future development.
DAY
NURSERIES
During the early years a child develops very quickly, so it is important
when selecting a nursery to ensure the child's physical, intellectual
and emotional needs will be catered for.
Before enrolling your child you should visit the nursery to check its
suitability - it should be warm, friendly and welcoming and, above all,
child-centred.
Most day nurseries are run privately and look after children up to the
age of five. Some offer places for babies while others cater for the
three to five-year-olds.
Some local authorities run day nurseries and often primary schools have
nurseries attached. All nurseries should be registered and inspected
by their local authority.
When deciding on a nursery for your child check the hours are suitable
and find out what the fees are and what the fees will cover. If your
child is three-years-old you may be entitled to a free part-time place
and if your child is four then you are entitled to a free part-time
place. However, admissions depend on the number of places available.
It is important to know what happens during holidays and what arrangements
will be made when there's illness or in an emergency - these are important
considerations for working parents. Also make sure the nursery is easy
to get to from home and from work.
The early years are the most formative of a child's life, so choosing
a nursery they'll be happy in will go a long way towards their future
development.
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