Choosing Childcare
Choosing the right childcare is a big decision and can be difficult. There are many things to consider but don’t worry there is a lot of help available.
Benefits of using childcare
There are many reasons you may want to use childcare.
High quality childcare supports children’s development. Childcare can provide a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow in addition to developing important social and emotional skills.
Childcare can be a great help for families, it can provide a safe and stimulating environment for your child, while also providing flexibility to work or pursue other interests.
Types of childcare
There are many different types of childcare available throughout Torfaen. These are made up of:
| Provider | Type of childcare | Children’s ages (typically) | Opening times | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full daycare nursery | Usually operate from purpose built premises | Usually from birth but dependant on the setting. Many also operate playgroup sessions (2-3 year olds); wrap-around (3-4 year olds), with some also offering breakfast, after school and holiday care for school aged children | Full day Half day Sessional | Welsh English Bilingual |
| Childminder | Operates from home | Dependent on Childminder but usually 0-12, but sometimes older | Usually able to be flexible, dependent on demand | Welsh English Bilingual |
| Playgroup | May be on school sites, church halls, scout huts, community buildings | 2-3 year olds for pre-school sessions; 3-4 year olds for ‘wrap-around’ care | Sessions Breakfast club Lunch club | Welsh English Bilingual |
| Cylch Meithrin | May be on school sites, church halls, scout huts, community buildings | 2-3 year olds for pre-school sessions | Sessions Breakfast club Lunch club | Welsh |
Childcare can be registered or unregistered
Childcare providers who operate for more than 2 hours per day, or more than 5 days per year, must, by law, be registered and inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). You can find inspection reports on the Care Inspectorate Wales website.
Unregistered childcare settings which operate under 2 hours per day, or less than 5 days per year, may still be high quality but they are not inspected. You may not be eligible for help with childcare costs if you use an unregistered setting.
A registered setting must:
- Be inspected by CIW inspectors. Find out more about Care Inspectorate Wales here.
- Makes sure that children are cared for in a safe, secure, and appropriate environment.
- Has staff that are suitably checked, qualified, and trained to support and look after your child.
- Has set adult to child ratios that make sure there are enough staff to care for the number and age of children in the setting.
- Has policies, procedures, and insurance in place to make sure that staff and children are cared for and are safe.
Help choosing the right childcare
The Choosing Childcare website will tell you about the benefits and different types of childcare available, where to find childcare and what financial support is available to help you with childcare costs.