Choosing Childcare That Suits You 

Even with family and friends nearby, it’s not always possible to get help with the kids – and having a bit of time for ourselves can sometimes feel like a pipe dream.

But Pebble is here to help, with thousands of local vetted childcare providers all in one place. Through our network, we can offer an extended safety net, where and when you need it.

If you’re not sure where to start with finding extra support, we can help with a few tips on how to find the right flexible childcare for you.

It’s never too early to think about childcare

As new parents, days and nights revolve around the care of our little ones. Choosing external childcare may not be a priority in these early days, but it’s always good to do a bit of research and forward planning – and it's surprising just how quickly parental leave can fly by!

It’s never too early to start looking at what’s available in your area, as even if you’re a stay-at-home parent, sometimes you’ll need that ad-hoc support.

Support for you and your child 

For many people, early parenting can also feel quite isolating – especially if family and friends live further away or are not around during the day. But we can help you expand your social circle: with local parent and baby classes, there’s a lot to choose from to help you find something of interest – and meet other local parents. 

As your child grows and their interests widen, there’s even more to explore (our range of activities will keep them entertained, expand their friendship groups – and give you more of that seemingly-impossible thing: time for yourself).

Giving your child the best start in life

Research shows that high-quality early childhood education and care has significant benefits for children’s development in both the short and longer term. 

It gives children the best start in life - boosting emotional and social development, learning and attainment. It also improves overall life chances, especially for children experiencing a range of social and economic disadvantages. 

Helping you choose the right childcare

All of our kids are unique, but when choosing childcare for them we all want the same things. We want them to be  happy, stimulated and safe in the care of vetted, qualified professionals.

It can feel daunting, trying to decide on the right type of care for your child - not to mention the thought of trusting their care to a relative stranger! But we can instantly connect you to high-quality, registered childcare providers in your area – and the good news is that great childcare comes in all shapes and sizes. 

Types of childcare available

The Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) has a really useful area for parents on their website, which outlines all the different types of childcare available. Here are some of the most popular:

• Childminders: generally look after small groups of children in their own homes and  offer personalised and flexible care and learning.

• Day Nurseries: care for larger groups of children (aged between 3 months and 5 years) and offer structured, age-appropriate care and learning activities all year round. 

• Pre-schools: provide play and education sessions for children between 2 and 5 (generally in morning or afternoon sessions, 5 days a week, during term time only).

• Nursery classes: are linked to primary schools and offer morning or afternoon sessions during term time to children aged around 4 years (for the academic year before they would start full-time school). 

All registered childcare providers are regularly inspected to ensure they meet safety, learning and development requirements. This is done by Ofsted In England and Wales and by the Care Inspectorate in Scotland – who all publish reports on their findings. 

Five tips for choosing your perfect childcare provider

Follow our five tips to help you find the perfect childcare provider for you and your child:

1. Make a shortlist of providers that fit your requirements – check out their Pebble listings and compare their fees and terms. Can you use them 1 or 2 days a week or do they require attendance 5 days a week? 

2.  Read their inspection reports and parent reviews. Get recommendations from other parents too.

3.  Arrange to visit with your child. Spend a full session there. Watch how care providers interact with your child and other children. Are there plenty of toys and activities for them to do? 

4. Ask loads of questions – for example “What’s the child-to-adult ratio?”, “What type of meals are served?”, “What’s a typical daily routine?” and “How will I know what my child has been doing?”. And, if in doubt, ask more!

5. Go with your gut – you know your child better than anyone. Choose the place where you think they will be most happy.

Check out Mother&Baby.com for more helpful suggestions and watch this Family and Childcare Trust video to help you recognise what a good childcare provider should offer.

Support with your childcare costs

Costs are always a major consideration when choosing childcare, but you may find you're eligible for free childcare when your child is 2 years old. 

And don’t forget that all 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours of childcare per year. Similar schemes also operate in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Free up your time with childcare whenever you need it

Use Pebble as your extended network of support whenever you need flexible, high-quality childcare: search for trusted childcare providers and activities in your local area today.