Find a nursery or childcare

Information about finding nurseries and childcare in the borough

How to choose a nursey or childcare provider

As a parent or carer you want to make sure your child is safe, happy and well-looked after. You try and protect them from abuse or neglect and help them grow up into confident, healthy and happy adults.

Coram Family and Childcare’s short film choosing a nursery will help you to find a suitable setting, and childcare guides to help you find, choose and fund childcare near you.

Finding good quality childcare can be worrying for parents. There are lots of things to look out for and ask when you visit a childcare provision. When choosing a childcare provider, you can use our checklists to establish that your child will be cared for in a safe environment:

Childcare provider checklist

We recommend that you check details with providers to ensure that their service meets your requirements. Before your visit spend some time thinking about what you are looking for in a childcare provider. Follow the checklist below. 

  What parents and carers should look for What parents and carers should do
Childcare provider inspections All registered childcare providers must have their home and childcare practice inspected regularly by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) to ensure the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are being met. Inspections are graded as outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate.

Read the inspection report carefully and if you have any questions discuss them with the childminder.

Inspection reports can be viewed on the Ofsted website or you can ask to look at the childcare provider’s copy of the report.
Insurance All registered childcare providers must have an up to date public liability insurance certificate.  Ask to see the childcare provider’s public liability certificate and check that it is up to date.
First aid All registered childcare providers must have an up to date first aid certificate.  Ask to see the childcare provider’s first aid certificate and check that it is up to date. 
Training All registered childcare providers must have appropriately trained staff. Ask about the qualifications that staff at the childcare setting have.
Ofsted registration All registered childcare providers must have a current Ofsted registration certificate. This must be displayed for parents/carers to view.  Ask the childcare provider where their Ofsted registration certificate is displayed. 
Contract It is important to agree a written contract at the start of your childcare arrangement. This will set out clearly what you expect from the childcare provider, and what is expected from you. Make sure you agree issues such as payments, holidays and sick leave in a written contract. This will help prevent disagreements later on. 

Our Family Information Service can help you find a childminder.