Sheffield Information Link (SIL) produces a range of factsheets which explain the types of childcare options available to working parents in Sheffield. Please contact SIL for a copy of our factsheet which gives an overview of the range of child care options, and below are some more that you may find useful to assist you in making an informed choice about childcare for your child:
Registration and OFSTED Fact sheet (PDF, 167KB)
Childcare providers are required to be registered with OFSTED. For more information about OFSTED and the registration process, click on the link to our factsheet above.
Home-Based Childcarers (Childminders) Factsheet (PDF, 3.4MB)
Home-based Childcarers are self-employed carers who look after children of any age in the childcarers own home. They provide flexible care for small groups of children in a domestic setting and can often offer early starts and late evenings. For an up to date list of home-based childcarers in your area, contact SIL. Some home-based childcarers working in approved networks are able to offer Nursery Education Funding.
Out of School Clubs Factsheet (PDF, 849KB)
Out of School Clubs can provide childcare for school age children usually after and sometimes before school hours, during term-time. Further information on Out of School Clubs is available from the Out of School Network. Some Out of School Clubs also run Holiday Playcare schemes. For a list of your local Out of School Clubs, contact SIL.
Holiday Playcare Top
Holiday Playcare schemes can provide a solution to finding childcare in the school holidays for working parents. Schemes are based at a number of centres around the city and places need to be booked. Sheffield Information Link produces an updated list of schemes prior to each school holiday, contact SIL. For things to do with the kids during the holidays, click here.
Pre-Schools & Playgroups Factsheet (PDF, 821KB) Top
Pre-schools and Playgroups provide care, play and education for children under school age. They allow children to socialise with other children, and offer a range of fun activities with lots of opportunity for children to learn and play. They offer sessional care, usually for 2-3 hours a day for children from 2½ or 3 years old to 5 years old during term-time. For a list of your local groups contact SIL. Some groups can offer Nursery Education Funding.
Day Nurseries Factsheet (PDF, 815KB) Top
Day Nurseries can provide full and part-time childcare for children aged from 0-5 years. They include, private, community, workplace or college nurseries, Local Authority Young Children's Centres and Children's Centres. Many of these settings can care for children aged from 3 or 6 months although some only take children over 2. Some offer after school care too. There may be a waiting list. Contact SIL for a list of nurseries in your area. Most nurseries can offer Nursery Education Funding.
Nannies Factsheet (PDF, 266KB) Top
Nannies can care for children of all ages in the child's own home and can provide a flexible form of childcare for working parents. Nannies can 'live in' with the family or work in the family home on a daily basis. Nannies are not required to register with OFSTED as other daycare settings are, so it is important for parents and carers to ensure the Nanny is a suitable person to care for their child. For information about employing a Nanny and contact details of Nanny Agencies, contact SIL, or click on the link to our factsheet above.
Babysitters Factsheet (PDF, 165KB) Top
A Babysitter is someone who will look after your child or children in your home for short periods of time. It is important to remember that babysitters are not formal childcare and parents need to check their suitability to care for their children. For information on how to choose a babysitter, contact SIL, or click on the link to our factsheet above.
