Choosing the right childcare setting

Visit the setting to get a feel for the day-to-day routine, and take your child with you to see whether they like it too. Visit when it is in full flow and, if possible, make a return visit so you can see the setting at different times during the day and week. Ensure you see the whole setting and not just the area your child may enter when they first start.

Before the visit, think about first impressions: the phone call; how easy was it to access information; how helpful was the setting in giving information and arranging the visit? Were they polite and professional?

Does the setting have a friendly feel? Does it have plenty of space inside and outside? If there's no outside space where do children play in the fresh air?

Check the equipment and facilities on offer. Is there a variety of creative equipment, such as painting stations, sand pits and play areas? Are they kept at a high standard? Are the children's paintings and other work displayed on the walls? It's important your child is offered a number of creative and stimulating experiences throughout the day, within a friendly environment.

Think about the children and their opportunities. Can children choose when they want to play outside or are there set times? Are children able to freely choose where they play and with what? Do the children in the different areas/rooms look happy, settled and well-occupied and engaged in the activities? Is there a wide variety of available activities, such as: creative and messy activities; books; music and singing; physical opportunities; imaginative, active and quiet play.

Ask about safety and security. What happens in an emergency? What precautions have been put in place? Do they have finger guards on doors? Is it secure? Do they have visitor control systems in use? Are all staff vetted prior to employment? Are all the indoor areas safe, clean, well-lit, welcoming and well decorated? Are the rooms an appropriate temperature? Is there a safe, secure and clean outside area for the children to play in? Your child’s safety should be top priority.

Ask to see the latest Ofsted inspection or view it online.

How many staff members are there? There should be at least one member of staff for every three children aged under two, one for every four two year olds, and one for every eight children aged between three and five.

Are they well trained? Do they have qualifications at the levels needed to best help children learn and develop at their own pace? Do they receive regular training? Will there be a key person with special responsibility for your child and with whom you can talk about how your child is getting along?

Do the staff and children talk and play together? Are the staff questioning and responding to questions in a way that interests the children and are the children encouraged to ask questions of their own?

How do the staff deal with challenging behaviour or children’s individual needs? There should be a written policy in place so ask to see it.

Talk to staff about their flexibility. Can they provide childcare that fits in with your work hours? Ask about costs. Ask about contracts. Do they charge for late pick-up? Ask what the fees cover; for example are nappies and meals included?

Check what food is provided. Are menus displayed? Is there a healthy, balanced diet on offer? Is water available whenever children want it? Does the setting take into account individual requirements?

Ask yourself:

• Did you and your child enjoy your visit?
• Was the nursery visit relaxed, friendly and informative?
• Did the staff answer your questions in a clear and concise manner?
• Did your child settle and appear happy and relaxed?
• How did the nursery staff interact with you and your child?
• Did the nursery appear clean, safe and secure?
• Is the nursery able to support any individual needs your child may have?
• Did the nursery make you feel welcome, confident and relaxed?

Find out about the financial help you can get. Working parents can get up to 70% of their costs back through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, when you use childcare that's registered or approved. Call the Tax Credits Hotline on 0345 300 3900 to find out what you can claim.

If you have a child aged three or four-years-old, or you have a two-year-old who meets the eligibility criteria, you are eligible for 15 hours of free early learning a week for 38 weeks of the year or 570 hours a year.

If your employer offers childcare vouchers ask whether the setting will accept them.

You should always raise any concerns you may have with your childcare provider. Your childcare provider should have a Complaints Policy, but here are some useful tips on what you should do.

• Bring up any concerns you have in a formal chat with the childcare provider, listening to the provider's view point
• Make suggestions on how to solve the issue. Can you reach a compromise?
• Agree on a plan of action. If necessary, agree a time and date to review the plan
• If things don’t improve, you can check your notice period in your contract and seek alternative childcare. Southampton's Family Information Service can help you find alternative childcare

If you cannot resolve a concern or you feel unable to talk to the childcare provider then you can contact Ofsted's Early Years Complaints Helpline on 0300 123 4666. Ofsted can only help with complaints or concerns about the quality of care – not with complaints or disputes about fees or contracts.

Trained staff

All staff will have ongoing relevant training and Play Leaders will have or be working towards an NVQ level 3 in Playwork or equivalent.

Child-centred activities

Activities will be based around children's interests. Their views will be valued.

Diversity of resources and activities

Resources and activities will reflect festivals and cultures from around the world.

Equal opportunity

All children will have equal opportunity to participate in all activities.

Monitoring and evaluation of service provided

This will be done by regular evaluations by the children and by staff to monitor the level of service provided and to identify any need for change. 

Implementation of policies

The policies of the club are readily available to parents/carers on admission to the club. They are reviewed and monitored regularly.

Consultation with children

Children will have opportunity to discuss with staff their views and opinions on their play. This may be by means of group discussion, one to one talk with staff, suggestion box, and writing evaluations.

Consultation with parents/carers

This may be done by means of a newsletter, notice board, suggestion box, meetings, one to one with staff. Parents/carers may also make an appointment with staff for a confidential consultation.