in Learning & Training
FAQs - Pre-school services
In this section of the website you will find frequently asked questions about particular issues or situations that affect children and young people and their parents. It is hoped that the answers to these questions will offer people useful information and advice, including links to other websites where appropriate.
- How do I find out about Ofsted inspection results for the childcare in which I am interested?
- How many children can a day nursery look after at any one time?
- I need to find childcare in Redcar & Cleveland, but I'm not sure what kind of provision is available or what type of childcare would be best for my family?
- What is the difference between a parent & toddler group and a pre-school playgroup?
- What kind of care do day nurseries provide?
- I’m looking for a Childminder – how can I be sure of good quality care?
- How do I know that my child will be safe ?
- I am a parent with a young disabled child, what childcare and support is available?
- My baby constantly cries, what can I do?
- Is my child entitled to free early education and how do I find out more?
I’m looking for a Childminder – how can I be sure of good quality care?
Childminders caring for those aged 8 and under must be registered and inspected by Ofsted who carry out regular checks on the home and the childminder. What’s more, all adults (16+) living and working in the childminder’s home will be police checked. All childminders are required to have completed a basic training course, including paediatric First Aid, and must go on to do further training and professional development.
Childminders caring for those aged 8 and under must be registered and inspected by Ofsted who carry out regular checks on the home and the childminder. What’s more, all adults (16+) living and working in the childminder’s home will be police checked. All childminders are required to have completed a basic training course, including paediatric First Aid, and must go on to do further training and professional development.
What kind of care do day nurseries provide?
A day nursery provides Ofsted registered care and education for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. However many also offer out-of-school care for five-to-eleven year olds, in breakfast, after school, or holiday clubs.
A day nursery provides Ofsted registered care and education for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. However many also offer out-of-school care for five-to-eleven year olds, in breakfast, after school, or holiday clubs.
How many children can a day nursery look after at any one time?
The ratios of carers to children are; for under twos, it’s three children per carer; for two year olds, it’s four children per carer; and older children, eight children per carer.
The ratios of carers to children are; for under twos, it’s three children per carer; for two year olds, it’s four children per carer; and older children, eight children per carer.
What is the difference between a parent & toddler group and a pre-school playgroup?
Parent & Toddler groups are not registered and inspected by Ofsted. They are often run by volunteers and require a parent/carer to stay with their child(ren) whilst they attend the session. They are great for the socialisation of both the parent and child.
Pre-school playgroups run for two and a half hours and are registered and inspected by Ofsted. Parents can drop their child(ren) off for the session and leave them with qualified and experienced childcare professionals.
Parent & Toddler groups are not registered and inspected by Ofsted. They are often run by volunteers and require a parent/carer to stay with their child(ren) whilst they attend the session. They are great for the socialisation of both the parent and child.
Pre-school playgroups run for two and a half hours and are registered and inspected by Ofsted. Parents can drop their child(ren) off for the session and leave them with qualified and experienced childcare professionals.
How do I find out about Ofsted inspection results for the childcare in which I am interested?
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is the Central Government Office which is responsible for carrying out inspections of all registered childcare provision. OFSTED Reports can be obtained from the childcare provider concerned. They are also available on the internet at www.ofsted.gov.uk.
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is the Central Government Office which is responsible for carrying out inspections of all registered childcare provision. OFSTED Reports can be obtained from the childcare provider concerned. They are also available on the internet at www.ofsted.gov.uk.
I need to find childcare in Redcar & Cleveland, but I'm not sure what kind of provision is available or what type of childcare would be best for my family?
Contact the Children's Information Service on 01642 771173. We offer free and inpartial information, advice and guidance to help you find the childcare you need, whether it be registered day nurseries, childminders, playgroups, out of school care, or unregistered parent & toddler groups or breakfast clubs. The Children's Information Service is also responsible for managing the Family Services Directory website of all services, activities & events for children and young people aged 0 - 20 years old. You can also email us at childcare_search@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or visit our website at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/surestart.
Contact the Children's Information Service on 01642 771173. We offer free and inpartial information, advice and guidance to help you find the childcare you need, whether it be registered day nurseries, childminders, playgroups, out of school care, or unregistered parent & toddler groups or breakfast clubs. The Children's Information Service is also responsible for managing the Family Services Directory website of all services, activities & events for children and young people aged 0 - 20 years old. You can also email us at childcare_search@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or visit our website at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/surestart.
Is my child entitled to free early education and how do I find out more?
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to free early education for 12.5 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.
There is no charge made in order to obtain your childs minimum entitlement. All providers of early education in schools, and in private & voluntary settings receive funding from their local authority to offer their free place.
Your local Children's Information Service can provide advice on the local provision of free nursery places.
Contact details can be found at www.childcarelink.gov.uk
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to free early education for 12.5 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.
There is no charge made in order to obtain your childs minimum entitlement. All providers of early education in schools, and in private & voluntary settings receive funding from their local authority to offer their free place.
Your local Children's Information Service can provide advice on the local provision of free nursery places.
Contact details can be found at www.childcarelink.gov.uk
My baby constantly cries, what can I do?
You baby could be crying for many different reasons:
For contact details of your local Health Visitor please see the following website links for Health Visiting and School Nursing services in Redcar and Cleveland:-
Health Visiting and School Nursing - West (covers Eston, Grangetown, Normanby,South Bank, Nunthorpe, Teesville, Ormesby and Overfields)
http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=D76898B136668C4580257377002EEE4A
Health Visiting and School Nursing - East (This service covers Boosbeck, Brotton, Carlin How, Charltons, Guisborough, Lingdale, Loftus,
Saltburn, Skelton and Skinningrove) http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=469A9195AB94DD9C80257375003C58F2
Health Visiting and School Nursing - Central (This service covers Marske, New Marske,Redcar and Saltburn)
http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=D76898B136668C4580257377002EEE4A
You baby could be crying for many different reasons:
- feeling too hot or cold
- colic or wind
- needing a nappy change
- feeling bored and wanting company
- being upset and wanting a cuddle
- getting overstimulated
- wanting to be held
- feeling pain
For contact details of your local Health Visitor please see the following website links for Health Visiting and School Nursing services in Redcar and Cleveland:-
Health Visiting and School Nursing - West (covers Eston, Grangetown, Normanby,South Bank, Nunthorpe, Teesville, Ormesby and Overfields)
http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=D76898B136668C4580257377002EEE4A
Health Visiting and School Nursing - East (This service covers Boosbeck, Brotton, Carlin How, Charltons, Guisborough, Lingdale, Loftus,
Saltburn, Skelton and Skinningrove) http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=469A9195AB94DD9C80257375003C58F2
Health Visiting and School Nursing - Central (This service covers Marske, New Marske,Redcar and Saltburn)
http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/family.nsf/Service?readform&id=D76898B136668C4580257377002EEE4A
I am a parent with a young disabled child, what childcare and support is available?
You can find all the information you need about what help and support is available and what you can expect from local services, plus everything you need to know in caring for a disabled child, on the Early Support website at www.earlysupport.org.uk. Early support is the Government's support programme for families and young disabled children. You can also get in touch with Contact a Family, who provide a full range of similar help and advice. For help finding appropriate local childcare to meet your child's needs, please contact the Families' Information Service on 01642 771173.
You can find all the information you need about what help and support is available and what you can expect from local services, plus everything you need to know in caring for a disabled child, on the Early Support website at www.earlysupport.org.uk. Early support is the Government's support programme for families and young disabled children. You can also get in touch with Contact a Family, who provide a full range of similar help and advice. For help finding appropriate local childcare to meet your child's needs, please contact the Families' Information Service on 01642 771173.
How do I know that my child will be safe ?
Keeping Children Safe - When choosing services or activities.
What you must ask yourself:
1) Have the activity leaders/staff been CRB checked ?
2) Do I have their address and contact number & do they have mine ?
3) Does my organisation looking after your child have a Child Protection policy & procedures ?
4) Is my child happy to talk about activities & individuals ?
5) Will my child be supervised by a safe adult at all times ?
6) Are the staff suitably qualified ?
7) What kind of reputation has the service or activity got? (Ask around)
HAve you got a concern?
You should always talk to the senior person in charge of the service if you have concerns.
If you are worried that a child is being abused:
DO NOT DELAY!
Contact:
Redcar and Cleveland Children's Social Care: 01642 771500.
Out of Hours Duty Team: 08702402994.
Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit: 01642 326326.
For further advice phone NSPCC 24-hour helpline: 0808 800 5000
Keeping Children Safe - When choosing services or activities.
What you must ask yourself:
1) Have the activity leaders/staff been CRB checked ?
2) Do I have their address and contact number & do they have mine ?
3) Does my organisation looking after your child have a Child Protection policy & procedures ?
4) Is my child happy to talk about activities & individuals ?
5) Will my child be supervised by a safe adult at all times ?
6) Are the staff suitably qualified ?
7) What kind of reputation has the service or activity got? (Ask around)
HAve you got a concern?
You should always talk to the senior person in charge of the service if you have concerns.
If you are worried that a child is being abused:
DO NOT DELAY!
Contact:
Redcar and Cleveland Children's Social Care: 01642 771500.
Out of Hours Duty Team: 08702402994.
Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit: 01642 326326.
For further advice phone NSPCC 24-hour helpline: 0808 800 5000