Frequently Asked Questions

(Day Nurseries)

The list below provides answers to the most common questions of parents and carers looking for day nursery care:

• What types of nursery are there?
• How do I know my child will be safe and secure?
• How many children will there be in a nursery
• What is the age range of children in a nursery?
• When are nurseries open?
• What about part-time childcare?
• How much does a nursery cost?
• Can you help me to choose a good day nursery?

What types of nurseries are there?

There are two main types of day nursery:

• Private nursery - this kind of nursery is designed to cater for children of working parents, and is the type you are most likely to find in your area
• Workplace nursery - some employers run childcare schemes for children of their employees

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

First of all - you know your child best, so look for a nursery that you feel is suitable for your child.

If you'd like more help in making this decision, visit the Advice on Day Nursery choice page.

Nurseries must be registered with OFSTED (Children Services) before they can begin to work with children. This means checks are carried out to make sure they are suitable to care for children. At least half of the staff in a nursery must be trained and possess a suitable childcare qualification. You should ask to see their certificate of registration as this will tell you the ages and number of children they can care for and their approved hours of opening.

A check on the nursery premises is carried out as well to make sure that it is a safe and suitable environment for children. After the nursery is registered, every year an inspection is carried out to make sure the nursery is continuing to provide a safe and suitable service

There should be a set number of staff at each nursery to work with the children:

• 1 adult to 3 children two years and under
• 1 adult to 4 children aged between two and three years
• 1 adult to 8 children aged between three and five years old.

Read about the National Standards childminders are expected to meet - Please note that this is a large pdf file (253 kb.)

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

How many children will there be in a nursery?

Most day nurseries provide places for between 26 and 40 children, although some are smaller and others larger. This will be shown on their registration certificate.

Children are usually divided into much smaller groups based upon their age.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

What is the age range of children in a nursery?

Day nurseries are for children aged 3 months to 5 years of age. The age range will be shown on their registration certificate.

Some nurseries have places for babies and toddlers as well as for children aged three to five, and some nurseries are part of childcare schemes that also provide care for older children.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

When are nurseries open?

Most day nurseries open at about 8 a.m. and close around 6 p.m., and are open all year round except for Bank Holidays. Their approved hours will be shown on their Registration Certificate.

Some day nurseries also offer different hours for the children of parents and carers working shifts.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

What about part-time childcare?

Many day nurseries are happy to offer you and your child part-time places, if this is what you need or want. Often they organise these places into morning or afternoon sessions.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

How much does a nursery cost?

Day nursery charges vary according to area, but as a guide you can expect to pay between £95 and £180 per child per week.

If your childcare setting provides early-years education and is registered with Croydon Early Years Education & Childcare Section  to receive Nursery Education Grant, they will receive a grant, which covers the cost of up to five two and half hour sessions a week. All children are entitled to this from the term of their fourth birthday and some depending on their needs and your circumstances will be entitled to this grant from the term after their third birthday.

For more information on childcare funding options available, and the various kinds of help that you may be eligible to receive, visit the paying for childcare page.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

Can you help me to choose a good day nursery?

Although we cannot recommend particular day nurseries, we seek to supply sufficient information to enable you to make an informed decision. We provide lists of registered day nurseries in Croydon and information on how to choose. We can advise you on the types of childcare that may be appropriate for your lifestyle or individual needs. However, it is your responsibility, as parent or carer, to choose the most suitable childcare for your circumstances.

For more information on tips and pointers to choosing quality day nursery childcare, visit the Advice on Day Nursery choice page. It is important to visit one or two settings before you make a decision.

If you'd like to search to find day nurseries in your area, visit the Childcarelink site, and follow the simple instructions.

Alternatively, contact Croydon Children's Information Service, who maintains a comprehensive list of day nurseries in the Croydon area - we're here to help.

Back to Day Nurseries

Thursday, 28 August, 2008

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Submit a Comment / Question to the Webmaster