Working mums want to be sure their baby or child is in good hands. Day nurseries, says The Daycare Trust, provide childcare in a reassuring community setting.

You’re pregnant – and getting bigger all the time – and, as well as still working and coping with commuting, you are also planning for the birth: buying equipment and keeping up with antenatal appointments and classes.

But, if you’re aiming to go back to work after the birth, it’s important not to stop your planning at the birth stage: you must also plan your childcare. Day nurseries have long waiting lists and you’ll need to act well in advance if you are going to find one that you like that also meets your practical needs.

Some day nurseries will take babies from six weeks but many are for children aged two to five. They all have to be registered by the local authority and inspected annually. Costs can range from nothing (places for children ‘in need’) to about £180 per week. There are several different kinds of day nursery with different entry criteria:

Workplace nurseries. To get a place for your child, you need a job with an employer who has set up a nursery or bought places at another nursery for its employees.

Community nurseries. You need to live in the catchment area to qualify for a place, and many also have ‘social need’ criteria (You must have some recognised disadvantage, such as lone parenthood or low income). Community nurseries are subsidised, so the fees are generally much lower than private nurseries. Some local authorities buy or subsidise places at community nurseries and these places are often reserved for families in particular need. On the other hand, community nurseries also sell a proportion of places to working parents who can afford the full fees. Check the situation in your area through your local Children's Information Service or call Childcare Link on 0800 0960296 or visit their website.

Council nurseries. These nurseries are usually for the children of families in crisis. Social workers and health visitors refer children to fill these places. Many of these nurseries also sell places to working parents who can afford full fees.

Private nurseries. These are small businesses. Sometimes they are part of a chain of nurseries.

Staff/child ratios

For every member of staff in a nursery, there should be a set number of children. Local authorities set local figures based on the Children Act. This means there will be local variations in the rules, but the following ratios will give you an idea of what to expect:

• Under two, the child-to-carer ratio is 3:1.
• Over two and under three, the child-to-carer ratio is 4:1.
• Over three and under five, the child-to-carer ratio is 8:1.
• Over five and under eight the child-to-carer ratio is 8:1.

Benefits

• Day nurseries are registered and inspected by the local authority.
• A team of professional staff is on hand with training and experience.
• You can expect a child-friendly environment, with a good range of equipment and activities.
• The service is available all year round.
• The service are geared to busy parents.
• Meals are included.

• The hours are unlikely to be very flexible –so check that they suit you.
• Fees can be expensive.
• The service may not be available in your area.
• Workplace nurseries may require you to bring your child to the city centre and travel in the rush hour.

Advice and information on day nurseries is available from:

National Early Years Network
77 Holloway Road
London N7 8JZ
Tel: 020 7607 9573

Expert advice on workplace nurseries is available form:

Working for Childcare
77 Holloway Road
London N7 8JZ
020 7700 0281

For more information see the Daycare Trust website and Childcare Link website.