Early Years Education, Support and Childcare - provision in Coventry, funding options and eligibility - SEND Local Offer for Coventry

About

There are a number of childcare options available in Coventry

Day Nurseries

Most day nurseries are open from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm all year round, except on Bank Holidays and Christmas.
Children are cared for and taught in groups of a similar age.
You can pay for meals and snacks including hot food.
Nursery owners and staff undergo rigorous checks to make sure they are safe to work with children.
At least half of all staff must have a childcare qualification.
Day nurseries may be located in a purpose-built building or a renovated house or building.
You can use 2, 3 and 4 year old government funding.
You can use the Tax Free Childcare scheme to help with costs.

Nursery classes are generally for children between three years and five years old.
Nursery classes are attached to a primary school.
Some nursery classes will take two year-olds.

So that your child makes friends with the children he/she may eventually go to school with.
If you have older children at the school, you can drop off and collect from one place.
Your child will be taught by a qualified teacher.
You think the school is a good school.
Nursery classes are term time only and generally offer morning or afternoon places. Some schools will offer care for the full school day. Additional charges may apply.
You can use 2, 3 and 4 year old government funding.
You can use the Tax Free Childcare scheme to help with costs.

Children are cared for and taught in groups of a similar age or mixed age groups.
Children can sometimes stay for lunch and you would provide a packed lunch.
Nursery owners and staff undergo rigorous checks to make sure they are safe to work with children.
At least half of all staff must have a childcare qualification.
These are often run from a church hall or Community building.
Preschools are term time only and generally offer morning or afternoon places.
You can use 2, 3 and 4 year old government funding.
You can use the Tax Free Childcare scheme to help with costs.

A person who cares for children from her own home for more than 2 hours a day.
Childminders undergo several checks, including a police check, before they can begin working with children.
They must attend a course that helps them learn about what they must teach children.
There are strict rules about what they must do to keep children safe and what they must teach children.
A Childminder can be male or female
They can care for up to 6 children under the age of 8 years

They can look after your child from as young as 6 weeks old in a home environment
They often care for older children before, after school and during the school holidays.
Your other children can also be looked after by the childminder.
If you work shift patterns, long and/or unsociable hours, a childminder may be able to accommodate this kind of schedule.
Some childminders provide offer overnight care.
You can sometimes pay an additional charge for hot meals and snacks.
The childminder can offer your child care as part of a small group.
Some childminders employ an assistant.
You can use 2, 3 & 4 year old government funding with many childminders.
You can use the Tax Free Childcare scheme to help with the costs.

A supervised session where children go before and/or after school
The number of children that attend will depend on the number of staff available to work with children.
They usually operate on a school site and are for children of school age.
They will be run by the school governors or an independent company.

A Nanny is someone who cares for children in the child’s own home, or in the home of another child they are caring for.
Nannies are sometimes called an Au Pair.
As well as providing childcare, they may also do other tasks around the home, such as cleaning or cooking.
A Nanny can care for children from up to two families at any one time.
In some instances a Nanny will live in your home.

A Nanny is employed by you, so you can agree what tasks will be included as part of her role.
Your child is generally cared for in your own home so you don’t have to worry about dropping off or collecting children.
You can negotiate with the Nanny to do some light housework and cooking.
The Nanny can work long or unsociable hours.
You may be able to get help with childcare costs if the Nanny is registered with Ofsted.

Independent schools charge fees for children to attend instead of being funded by the government.
Children do not have to follow the national curriculum.

The school may have a specialist focus such as dance.
Class sizes are usually smaller which allows the teacher to spend more time with your child.
Some offer childcare for children aged 3 to 4 years old and allow you to use 3 and 4 year old government funding. There is often the expectation that you buy additional childcare sessions on top of your government funded hours.
Independent schools are term time only and may offer care for the full school day.
You can use the Tax Free Childcare scheme to help with costs.