Main menu
Quick links
Learn the rules of our service
Your personal information stays safe
Get assistance and quick answers
Childcare providers support young children with daily care, early learning and social development. They create safe, nurturing environments where children can play, explore and build early communication, physical and emotional skills.
Childcare can be delivered in nurseries, home settings, community venues or specialist early years environments.
Providers follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and must meet safeguarding, welfare and learning standards.
Childcare settings often play a key role in identifying early developmental needs and supporting families seeking assessments or SEN support.
Childcare includes:
Each type offers different levels of structure, flexibility and staffing ratios.
Childcare settings provide early education in line with EYFS through:
Providers may also support early identification of needs such as speech delay, sensory processing difficulties or social communication differences.
They can make referrals to health visitors, speech and language therapy or local SEND services when concerns arise.
Childcare providers are expected to include and support children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Support may include:
For children with more complex needs, providers contribute to assessments and may support families pursuing an EHCP.
All childcare providers must meet:
Regulated providers are inspected by Ofsted to ensure quality and safety.
Childcare settings share updates with parents through:
They work with:
Providers may also offer funded places for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds, depending on eligibility.
