Types of childcare
There are a variety of options available for childcare and early education, for further information contact Salford Children's Information Project
Pre-schools or playgroups
Pre-schools or playgroups offer children between 2 and 5 years sessional care and are registered and inspected by Ofsted. They offer children the opportunity to engage in activities with their peer group and follow the Birth to Three framework. Some settings are also registered with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). to help children work towards the Early Learning Goals for the foundation stage. Sessions offered can be from 2½ hours to 4 hours during term time, some every weekday, others several days a week.
Private day nurseries
Private Day Nurseries provide care for children aged birth - 5 years and are registered and inspected by Ofsted. Some settings are also registered with the DCSF to help children work towards the Early Learning Goals for the foundation Stage and also follow the Birth to Three Framework.
Some may also offer a provision for older children before/after school and in the holiday period. Opening times vary but tend to range from 8:00am - 6:00pm; many offer full and part time places.
Out of school clubs
Out of school clubs fit around school hours for school aged children providing care and activities and are registered and inspected by Ofsted for children 0-8 years, but also cater for over 8 years. Some are breakfast clubs, after school clubs and many also offer a full day holiday club. Some are on school premises others are on other premises e.g. community hall, and these then collect/drop of at school.
Childminders
Registered childminders are child carers, providing care and a learning environment for children, from birth onwards, in a home based setting and follow the Birth to Three Framework. They are registered and inspected by Ofsted for children 0-8 years, but also cater for over 8 years. Childminders are self employed therefore set their own working hours, they are very flexible, many offering before and after school and holiday care as well as full day care
Crèche
Childcare facility that provides occasional care for children under eight on particular premises. Some are in permanent premises and care for children while parents are engaged in particular activities, e.g. shopping or sport. Others are established on a temporary basis to care for children while their parents are involved in time-limited activities, e.g. a conference or exhibition.
Ofsted - Office for Standards in Education
The Early Years Directorate of Ofsted is responsible for the registration, inspection, investigation and enforcement of early years provision.
All registered provision must meet the 14 national standards for under 8’s in day care set out by the DCSF Sure Start unit.
Purpose of the Framework
The years between birth and three are particularly important. Because many children now spend some time before the age of three with a carer, Sure Start has produced the Birth to Three Matters Framework as a guide to the way your child is cared for. It’s not a curriculum, but just as important in helping your carer think about your child and their needs.
The Framework
- Values and celebrates babies and children
- Recognises their individuality, efforts and achievements
- Recognises that all children have from birth a need to develop, learning through interaction with people and exploration of the world around them
- Recognises the ‘holistic’ nature of development and learning
- Acknowledges, values and supports the adults that work with babies and young children
- Provides opportunities for reflection on practice
- Informs and develops practice, whilst acknowledging that working with babies and children is complex
To read more about your child’s development between birth to three you can visit the Sure Start website.
Who to contact
For further information about childcare in Salford, contact Salford Children's Information Project on freephone 0800 195 5565, email scip@salford.gov.uk or visit SalfordChildren.info.
This page was last updated on 29 July 2008
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