Childcare Options

Childminders are professional childcare providers who work in their own homes to provide care and learning opportunities for children. They are self-employed and can decide their own working hours. Most childminders offer care between the hours of 8am – 6pm although some offer their service at weekends and at other times by arrangement. All childminders must be registered and inspected by Ofsted.

Childminders are a good solution if your working day doesn’t fit the 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday pattern or if you have children of different ages and needs and you want them to be looked after together. You may also want your child to be cared for in a home environment by just one person.

Ofsted registered childminders can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory:

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk) 

A nursery looks after and educates children under the age of five (pre-school). Nurseries are usually open throughout the working day and some are open later into the evening and at weekends. There are different types of nurseries including private, community, council and workplace nurseries, however all nurseries must be registered and inspected by Ofsted. 

List of Ofsted registered nurseries can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory :

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk)

School nurseries are nursery classes linked to or within schools. At present they offer half-day sessions to children aged three and four in preparation for school. Please note that attending a nursery class at a specific school does not guarantee a place at that school.

Ofsted registered childcare can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory: 

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk)

Playgroups offer a range of stimulating activities for children that encourage them to learn through play. Learning opportunities are planned around the Foundation Stage curriculum which covers children aged 3-5 as they prepare for Key Stage One in year one of school. 

List of Ofsted registered Pre-schools can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory 

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk)

Children’s centres provide childcare through contracting nursery providers to run a nursery within their premises or at one of their linked sites. The nursery would need to have achieved a good Ofsted report to be considered and works hand-in-hand with children’s centre staff to provide the best experience possible for the children attending.

A number of children’s centres in the London Borough of Ealing have specialist facilities for children with additional needs and disabilities such as sensory rooms, Makaton and sign-language training as well as Stay & Play sessions visited by Speech & Language Therapists.

Find out about children centres in the borough: 

Children's Centres |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)

Out of school clubs offer childcare for a range of ages outside of school hours - this  includes breakfast clubs (before school starts) and after school clubs which look after children until their parents collect them. These sessions are usually based around activities such as art or sport and are often set up near or within schools. An out of school club can open as early as 8am and close as late as 6pm. 

Ofsted Registered breakfast and after school clubs can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory:

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk)

Holiday playschemes offer childcare to parents and carers during the school holidays. Playschemes can be run by the local council, schools and private companies; as a result the cost of playschemes varies from one to the other. As does the types of activities and programmes on offer.

Children and young people with additional needs or disabilities should be able to fully participate in all holiday playschemes in the borough. 

Ofsted Registered holiday playschemes can be found on Ealing's Childcare Directory 

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk)

A crèche is a safe and supervised play area for children whose parents are occupied by another activity on the same premises, e.g. evening classes, gym sessions or shopping centres. If a crèche is open more than four hours a day and more than fourteen days a year it must be registered with Ofsted.

To search for childcare visit 

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk) 

A nanny or babysitter looks after your children in your own home. Because of this they don’t have to be registered with Ofsted but some nannies choose to go on a voluntary register. If you go through an agency you may need to pay a finder’s fee. If you arrange a nanny or babysitter directly you become their employer. This means you become responsible for recruiting an appropriate person; carrying out a criminal record check (now called DBS check, Disclosure and Barring Service); ensuring they are trained; agreeing terms and conditions and taking care of their pay.

To search for childcare, visit

Synergy - Enquiry (ealing.gov.uk) 

• Does the setting (childcare provider premises and environment) feel welcoming and nurturing?
• Are parents given information on their child’s progress and achievements?
• What training and experience do the carers have?
• Is there enough space including an outdoor play area?
• Is there a good range of activities and resources available?
• Is the environment safe and what safety precautions have been taken?
• What happens in case of accident or emergency?
• Are there facilities for nappy changing/toilet training?
• Are meals and snacks freshly prepared and are they healthy and nutritious?
• Does the setting have a quality assurance certificate?
• What Ofsted grade has the setting been awarded?
• Are you able to get any recommendations or reviews from other parents?

1. How long have you worked with children?
2. What qualifications and/or training do the carers or staff have?
3. Are they trained to give medication or use specific equipment?
4. Is the building secure, comfortable and welcoming?
5. Is there a purpose built outside play area suitable for all children?
6. Where will my child rest and how often?
7. What kind of food and drink will you give and at what intervals?
8. Can the specialist dietary needs of my child be supported?
9. What would be a typical day for my child in terms of activities?
10. Will my child have the opportunity to mix with other children? And how old will they be?

Children with additional needs:

1. How long have you worked with children and what experience do you have of supporting children with additional needs and/or a disability?
2. What qualifications and/or training do the carers or staff have in relation to your child’s needs?
3. Are they trained to give medication or use specific equipment?
4. Is the building secure, comfortable and welcoming?
5. Is there a purpose built outside play area suitable for all children?
6. Where will my child rest and how often?
7. What kind of food and drink will you give and at what intervals?
8. Can the specialist dietary needs of my child be supported?
9. What would be a typical day for my child in terms of activities?
10. How would they approach your child’s disability with other children and their parents?
11. Will my child have the opportunity to mix with other children? And how old will they be?
12. How will they communicate with you about your child’s progress and needs?

• Are the children calm, safe and happy?
• Do children play and talk together?
• Are the staff listening to the children and answering them carefully?
• Are the staff friendly and proud of their work?
• Are the staff joining in with what the children are doing?
• Are there lots of activities planned to help children learn and play? Can the children plan some of these themselves?
• Are there plenty of clean toys and equipment for children to use? And are these readily available to the children?
• Are the premises clean, well-kept and safe for children with a fun outside play area (or will children go to parks and other places regularly)?
• Do parents have plenty of opportunities to explain and discuss what they want for their children?
• Did you receive a good welcome and did staff acknowledge your child directly?

The Department for Education and Public Health England have produced a publication for parents around taking your child to an early years setting. For more information visit: 

Taking your child to an early years setting: information for parents (from the Department for Education and Public Health England) |  Ealing Directory (ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk)