Day Nurseries
A day nursery provides year-round care and education for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old.
Nurseries offer full day care with opening hours ranging from early morning to evening to suit working parents. You can send your child full or part time. All day nurseries must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which are the standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five years old.
Day nurseries are registered with and inspected by Ofsted. This means that the day nursery will be checked to ensure that staff are appropriately trained and qualified and the premises are suitable and safe.
Ofsted registration requirements will specify the number of children that are allowed to be on the premises at any time and the ratio of staff to children. The minimum ratios are:
Day nursery fees will vary and will depend on the number of days or sessions that your child attends. Fees for children under two years will be more due to the higher staff ratios.
Day nurseries can be registered to offer the Early Education and Childcare Entitlements and Tax Free Childcare. Families qualifying for Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit may also be able to claim help with the childcare costs.