Holiday childcare

The long summer holidays are almost here. For some, this means six long weeks of summer fun. For others, concern about how to find flexible childcare during the holiday.

 

Registered childminders are professional childcarers, working in their own homes. As well as being registered by Ofsted in England or CSSIW in Wales to care for up to six children under 8, childminders can care for older children at the same time (up to the number specified on their public liability insurance policy).

 

Childminders are able to offer flexible childcare, and many advertise any holiday vacancies they have through their local Family Information Service as well as in local children's centres, leisure or community centres, shops and libraries. Many schools are happy to let childminders advertise vacancies as well, so check there before the end of term!

 

Childminders care for small groups of children, often of different ages and you may find that brothers and sisters can be cared for together easily, making your life easier. If you've not used a registered childminder before, read more about the unique, home-based care and learning they can provide.

 

Using a registered childminder can be a cost-effective solution to your childcare problems this summer, too. Because childminders provide registered childcare, you may be able to claim certain tax credits to help pay for the care.

 

For more information about registered childminding, and to hear from other parents about their experiences of childminding, watch our film, Home from Home.