Taking time can make early years child’s play

If you are about to take your first steps into the world of childcare, it is important to take your time and make a choice that is going to work.

It can be daunting choosing the best provider for your child, especially for parents who don’t have any first-hand experience of this sector.

The good news is that there are plenty of experts out there who can’t wait to welcome your child or children – and plenty of other mums, dads and carers who have gone through the process themselves and can help you to negotiate the world of nurseries, pre-school nursery schools, childminders and nannies.

The various kinds of provision out there will suit different youngsters and the needs of parents.

What they all have in common, though, is the goal of helping your child learn through play in a safe, caring environment.

For mums and dads returning to work when their children are still babies or toddlers, the usual options are a private nursery or childminder.

Think about which would suit you best. Do you like the idea of your baby socialising with lots of other children and the security of knowing the nursery won’t take holidays or sick leave?

Or perhaps you prefer the idea of your child being cared for in a more home-like environment with just a few other youngsters.

Once your son or daughter reaches pre-school age, the choices broaden.

From age three, there is the option of sending them to your free local councilrun nursery school, some of which now offer extended hours or wraparound care which might suit working parents.

Alternatively, you might entrust your child’s early years education to a private nursery to cover longer working hours.

An emphasis on spending lots of time outdoors had become popular, both in council-run and private establishments and there are even some where the children spend all their time there.

Another popular option for parents in Scotland is a Montessori nursery.

These follow the method of early years education developed by Italian physician and educator Dr Maria Montessori in the early 20th Century.

She observed children and saw that they learned best by doing.

She created specially designed education resources which encourage independence and a love for learning from an early age.

Whatever your preferred option, make sure you take the time to research and visit several providers.

The nursery that suited your friend’s children might not feel like the right environment for yours when you visit, or you might walk through the door of a childminder’s home or Montessori nursery and immediately feel your youngster would thrive there.

Children are as individual as their parents and it pays to do some research before committing to any one choice.

However, remember to ask for advice from family and friends and to check the childcare providers you are considering on the Care Inspectorate website.

There, you will find more information about establishments and how they have performed in recent inspections.

Nurseries can range from places where indoor play is encouraged, above, to ones where youngsters spend most of their time outdoors, left.