Choosing and paying for childcare
You may need childcare for your child if you're returning to work, before or after school or during the school holidays. As a parent or carer, you may find this quite daunting but we’re here to help you choose the best quality registered childcare for your child and your family.
There’s lots to think about, from understanding the different types of childcare available to the help that's available towards the costs.
As a parent you'll want to ensure that the childcare provider you choose to care for and educate your child is of the highest quality, but you may be unsure about the types of childcare available. The Shropshire Family Information Service is here to help you understand and to choose the best quality childcare to suit the needs of your child and your family.
The following are examples of the registered childcare available for depending on the ages of the children...
Registered childcare
- Age 0-2
- Childminder
- Day nursery
- Day nursery with out-of-school club
- Childcare on domestic premises
- Age 3-4
- Childminder
- Day nursery
- Day nursery with out-of-school club
- Infant school with nursery class
- Primary school with nursery class
- Independent school
- Childcare on domestic premises
- Age 5-16
- Childminder
- Day nursery with out-of-school club
- Out-of-school club
- Childcare on domestic premises
- Holiday play scheme (school holidays only)
- School-based breakfast clubs
The Shropshire Family Information Service receives information from Ofsted on all types of registered childcare in Shropshire. You can email them on ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk or call 01743 254400 and they can send you the information you need.
Childcare costs
The cost of childcare can take up a large chunk of the family budget, but financial help is available to many parents if you know what’s out there and how to access it. With registered providers, you may be able to get help towards the cost of childcare using government schemes or with support from your employer.
Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out more about childcare funding for parents who work, for those who are receiving government support, and also for those who are studying.