choosing childcare

To find out what’s available in your area, contact your local authority, which will provide details on all registered childcare in the borough, including childminders, pre-school play groups, beforeand after-school clubs, and holiday play schemes. These will all be DBS (formerly CRB) checked.

If you’re looking for more short-term childcare, such as a babysitter, ask friends and family for recommendations. Or consider advertising at a local college that teaches childcare courses, and ask applicants for references from other families.

Trust your gut instinct. If you’ve got any doubts, look around for someone else.