Only two per cent of people who currently work in early years are male. Do you think there should be more effort to increase the numbers of men working in childcare and early years?
There is a Family Information Service in every local authority area. Sometimes this will be attached to the local authority, but could also be an individual organisation.
Your local Family Information Service is the best place to get information on registered childcare providers who provide services in your area. They hold lists of registered childminders, nurseries, out-of-school and holiday clubs, pre-school/playgroups and children's leisure activities. Some Family Information Services may also be able to provide you with information about unregistered childcare, such as nannies or parent and toddler groups.
You can find contact details for your local Family Information Service by calling 0800 234 6346, or use the 'Find a FIS' function at: www.familyinformationservices.org.uk.
Other parents' experiences of a childcare provider can be very useful. However, remember what works for one family, may not work for another. Also, although personal recommendations are helpful, you should always take up references.
You may find details of local childcare providers on noticeboards at local schools, community centres, libraries, or shops. Always remember to check references!
If you're looking for a nanny your local telephone directory should have listings of nanny agencies. Magazines such as 'Nursery World' and 'The Lady', available from most newsagents, also hold details of nanny agencies and individual nannies looking for work. See Finding and choosing nannies for further information.
Most parents wonder what to look out for when they start looking for childcare. Here are some of our tips.
1. Draw up a shortlist using information from your local Family Information Service - check the hours that they can provide childcare, the hourly/daily/weekly cost and if they have places available for your child.
2. Visit several settings and ask questions about the childcare provided (see below).
3. Make the big decision - it might help to take a friend and/or your child on the visits to help you decide.
4. Take up references from other parents who have used that service.
5. Book your child's place (you may need to pay a retainer fee to keep the place open until your child starts) and arrange details like hours, start date, who is allowed to pick up your child.
These are just some of the questions you should ask, see our list of questions for more ideas and also think about the things that matter to you and make sure you ask about them.
It advisable for you to take up at least two references. Childcare providers should be happy to give you names of other parents to speak to about the service they provide.
What will your child enjoy? These are the things children said were most important when Daycare Trust visited nurseries and asked children for their views:
For more information see Daycare Trust's report, 'Listening to children about childcare'.
For more information about choosing childcare, see our parent factsheet, 'What are my childcare options?'
Survey results revealed
We currently have a vacancy for the Chair of the Trustee board.
New guide helps you with your childcare options.
Will you back our campaign to make childcare a priority issue in the new parliament?
| 
