Types of childcare

Childminders are professional childcarers, registered with the Care Inspectorate, who work from their own homes. They offer high quality care in a home-from-home environment. Your child may benefit from the low adult-to-child ratios and a variety of important developmental experiences.

Some points to consider when choosing a childminder:

• Make sure that your childminder is registered with the Care Inspectorate
• Sign a contract with your childminder. This will ensure you are both aware of the terms of the service provided.
• Request a copy of your childminder’s policies and procedures. Ask how your childminder deals with risk assessments, child protection, infection, discipline etc.
• Childminders should offer a settling in period. Take your child along before you sign the contract, so you can see if your child is comfortable there.

Advice and a draft childminding contract are available from the Scottish Childminding Association.

Find a childminder near you.

Helpline: 01786 449063 Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm

Private nurseries look after children from birth to five years of age and may also offer after school care.

Some offer lower rates for a second child or for single parents. Some may offer Early Learning and Childcare places for 2 – 4 year olds paid for by the council.

You usually pay for this service but they also provide Early Learning and Childcare places paid for by the council.

School nurseries are usually only open in school term time but some may offer care for longer days and holidays.

Out of school care, also known as after school care, provides a safe environment for school age children before and after school and during holidays.  Out of school care can start from 7.30am before the start of the school day and can provide breakfast. Services also operate from the end of the school day until 6 pm. Some have clubs during the school holidays from 8 am to 6 pm and will operate during in-service training days, polling days and half-term holidays.

For more information contact the Scottish Out of School Care Network.

Workplace nurseries are provided by some large employers often with rates linked to your salary. Some colleges and universities also have nurseries. If they are not registered with the Care Inspectorate you cannot get help from tax credits, Universal Credit or the Lone Parent Childcare Grant to help pay costs.

A nanny provides childcare for one or more children in your home. Nannies can live in or out of the family home. Nannies who provide care for newly born babies during the night are known as night nannies.

Nannies are not required to register with the Care Inspectorate on an individual basis, though agencies which introduce nannies to families are required to register as Childcare Agencies.

Nannies will usually have a professional qualification (NNEB, SVQ etc) and are likely to be the most expensive childcare option. If the nanny belongs to a registered childcare agency you may get help to pay for the childcare from Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit.