Finding childcare

In Torbay we have a range of childcare provision for under-fives: 

• Childminders 
• Preschools 
• Private independent nurseries 
• School-based nurseries 

You can find contact details of settings and links to their websites on the Early Years Childcare - Family Hub 

All registered childcare will have an Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) report which can be found on the Ofsted website  

When considering childcare…. 

• You many chose a location close to home or near your place of work? This may impact on drop offs and picks each day. 
• Look at the websites. What is your first impression? Policies should be on here for you to read.  
• Speak to providers on the phone, to book a visit and ask any initial questions that haven’t been answered from looking at the website.  

Things to bear in mind when visiting:  

• Arrange appointments with two or three of your chosen type of childcare.  
• Take your child with you and visit during opening hours. How do adults interact with the children?  Are the children engaged in their play? 
• Try to imagine your child in this setting, will the environment and approach be a good fit for your child? Trust your instincts.  

Some prompts for questions you may wish to ask while visiting: 

• How many sessions can my child attend each week? 
• What is your settling in process?  
• What would I need to provide for my child’s day here?  
• What does your daily routine look like?  
• Where do the children sleep? 
• Do you take the children out on trips or visits? 
• What is the procedure when someone else collects my child? 
• What happens if my child is sick or in an emergency?  
• How will I be updated on my child’s progress? 
• If I am worried about my child’s development, how will you support them?