As a parent you are faced with many choices when it comes to the development and education of your children at all stages of their life. One of the most important decisions any parent can make is what method of childcare they opt for in the crucial period up to 5 years of age. This article looks at the various options now available regarding childcare for under fives.

Many studies have shown that there is a direct link between the quality of childcare received in the early years and a Childs long term schooling and social development. And so with the first five years of a Childs life being so crucial what options are now available to parents when it comes to childcare for their kids?

Before we look at the various options available it is important to remember that anyone in the UK who provides childcare for over 2 hours a day and who is rewarded for this should be registered with OFSTED. It is also vital that they have received the correct level of training including first aid training as well as adequate insurance cover in place. If in any doubt about either of these requirements the childcare provider should check with the regulators or a specialist pre school insurance, nursery insurance or childcare insurance provider.

So if the childcare provider makes sure they are compliant there are really 4 main types of childcare option available to parents and guardians and the first of these is using a pre school. A pre school usually operates on a sessional basis and traditionally provide childcare for children aged between 2 years 9 months until they begin school although they can take children younger than this.

The second option available to parents looking for childcare is a nursery. A nursery is more likely to appeal to working parents as they offer extended childcare arrangements including being open most of the year and being open for longer hours. Nurseries are usually run privately, by local educational authorities or by a chain of owners. This differs from pre schools that can be run privately or managed by a committee of volunteers.

As with any of the forms of childcare available nurseries need to make sure they have the correct level of nursery business insurance in place.

Another option available when it comes to childcare is to employ a childminder. A childminder differs from pre schools and nurseries in that they are often individuals who provide childcare from their home and they are extremely flexible. Whereas a pre school or nursery sticks to set times a childminder can be part time, full or pretty much anytime providing they can reach an agreement with the parents of the children they are looking after. This can even extend to weekend and overnight childcare cover which for a parent can be extremely welcome.

As with nurseries and pre schools, childminders are still OFSTED regulated in the UK but can offer advantages that pre schools and nurseries cannot. These include brothers and sisters of different ages being cared for together, care being delivered by the same person and their services being paid for directly as childminders operate on a self employed basis.

The final option available to parents is to employ a nanny to provide childcare for their children. A nanny will usually provide childcare in your home so you can benefit from the numerous advantages of this set up.

The truth is there are many options now available to parents looking for childcare for their children. With the stability that pre schools and even more so nurseries bring combined with the flexibility from childminders and the home comforts of a nanny, there should be something suitable for everyone to make sure their child gets the best possible start in life.