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Story published on November 14, 2002

The right care for your child

When it comes to looking for the right kind of childcare, timing your search to get it right is everything.

If you start your search too early, the vacancies you find may no longer be available by the time you actually need them.

Start too late and you might not find suitable arrangements in time to go back to work. The following guidelines could help you decide when to start your search and how to go about it.

  • If you are looking for space with a childminder, six to eight weeks should give you plenty of time to find the right carer, since most providers don't know very far in advance whether they will have an opening.
  • If you are looking for nursery care, you should start looking a year before you want your child to start because full-time care is at a premium and openings for children are often reserved for families who already have children enrolled.
  • If you are seeking a part-time nursery arrangement, plan to get your name down during the winter or spring before starting the following autumn.
  • If you are looking for a nanny or au pair you should allow yourself eight weeks to find a live-out care giver and around four months or longer to find live-in help.

    But if you are planning to recruit a nanny or au pair from overseas, you might need as much as nine months to a year to find suitable candidates. Word of mouth recommendation is often a good way to find childcare. Talk to other parents or look on community notice boards, but always take up references.

    Children's Information Services hold lists of registered childminders, nurseries, out of school clubs and children's leisure activities. Call Childcare Link on 08000 960 296 or check out their website at www.childcarelink.gov.uk

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