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a recent survey, so you want to find one that both suits your child and your pocket.
Au pairs
Au pairs are normally young
women (and very occasionally
young men), aged between 17
and 27, who want to come to
the UK from another country to
learn English and earn some
money. You will provide them
with board, lodging and a small
salary in exchange for help with
your children and some light
housework for a maximum
of 25 hours per week in the
daytime, as well as babysitting
for one or two evenings. They
are entitled to two free days
a week and at least one free
weekend a month.
Pros: Your children will be
looked after in their own
home. It’s fairly cheap.
Cons: Au pairs are not
usually trained to work with
children so are generally
considered inappropriate to
care for a young baby.
Day nurseries
Day nurseries take children
up to the age of five. They
may be run by individuals,
community groups,
partnerships, Montessori
organisations or commercial
companies. All supervisors and
managers must hold a full and
relevant level-3 qualification.
And, half of all the other staff
must hold a full and relevant
level-2 qualification (as
defined by the Department for
Education). Day nurseries have
their own admission policies
and should give you a copy
of the policy if you ask. Day
nurseries usually offer care
from 8am until 6pm, but some
may offer longer hours.
They are open all year, except
possibly for a week or two in
the summer and at Christmas.
However, you will have to pay
for any time your child goes
there which is over the basic
government-funded limits for
three to four year olds of 15
hours for 38 weeks per year.
Children who go full-time
receive snacks and at least one
meal a day.
The nursery may provide this
for a charge or your child can
bring food from home. If the
nursery provides your child’s
meals, they must be varied
and nutritious. The nursery
should respect your wishes
and provide special meals for
cultural and religious reasons.
Pros: Nurseries are regularly
inspected by Ofsted to ensure
they meet the required
standards and usually offer
a good range of activities
relevant to your child’s age
group. They will also be able
to cover staff illness.
Cons: Some parents don’t
like the ‘institutional’ culture
and some nurseries are very
expensive.
FURTHER
INFORMATION
To search for a list of childcare, see
Oxfordshire Family Information
Service on 08452 26 26 36 or visit:
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
familyinformation
To find out how you can get financial
help, visit:
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/publicsite/help-paying-childcare
The Family & Childcare Trust:
www.familyandchildcaretrust.org
National Childminding Association:
www.pacey.org.uk, tel: 0800 169 4486