Childcare costs can be expensive. As a kinship carer, you may be entitled to financial support to help cover the cost of childcare.
Childcare as a kinship carer
Choosing the right childcare is a big decision for you and the child you care for. Here are some things to think about, and questions to ask.
This advice applies to: England and Wales
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Having childcare can be essential for helping you stay in work, attend appointments and court dates, or if you just need some time for yourself.
There are different types of childcare available, depending on the age of your child, your needs and your budget. And if you need help paying for childcare, financial help is available for kinship carers.
If you’re working, and you live in England, you’ll be able to get 15 hours a week of free childcare, from an approved provider, for your child from the age of 9 months to 4 years old. From September 2025, this will increase to 30 hours a week of free childcare.
In England, your two-year-old may get free childcare, depending on which benefits you claim and if they are looked after by a local authority.
You can use the GOV.UK childcare calculator to understand what you’re entitled to.
Childcare options
Informal childcare
Informal childcare is when you make your own arrangements for childcare cover. It can include:
- when a family member, friend or neighbour looks after the child, or children (usually for just a few hours)
- playdates with others
- attending local playgroups
- leaving the child in the care of a creche. For example, in a gym creche when you are working out
Formal childcare
Formal childcare is paid childcare. This includes nurseries, pre-school, wraparound childcare, holiday childcare, childminders and nannies.
- Nurseries
Nurseries can be privately owned or run by your local council. They care for children aged from 3 months old to primary school age. In England, all nurseries are registered with Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills), inspected, and graded. Most nurseries offer childcare during school term time and holidays. - Pre-schools
Often attached to primary schools, pre-schools help children aged 3 and 4 to prepare for primary school. They typically keep the same hours as primary school and tend to be open only during term time.
All children should attend primary school in England from the September after their fourth birthday, and in Wales it’s after a child’s fifth birthday. Children attend primary school until they are 11 years old.
- Wraparound childcare
Wraparound childcare is childcare before and after school. This includes things like breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, or sports clubs. The cost of wraparound care will depend on where you live and whether the activities or clubs are run by the school or an external provider. This type of childcare typically runs during term-time. - Holiday childcare
There are different forms of holiday childcare, such as activities, sports, arts and crafts and trips. They can be run by your local council, charities, or private companies. The costs will vary. - Childminders
Childminders are professional carers who are qualified to look after children, usually in their own home. They are Ofsted registered and inspected regularly. Childminders offer a more family-led environment for children, as they can only care for up to 6 children under 8 years old. Their rates will vary depending on their experience and their location. - Nannies
If you’re looking for the most flexible childcare option, then consider a nanny. However, because they offer flexibility, they are typically more expensive than other childcare options. If you hire a nanny, you may be considered their legal employer. Not all nannies are registered with Ofsted so always check their qualifications and insurance and contact their references.
Choosing childcare as a kinship carer
With so many different childcare options available, what should you consider when choosing childcare? Afterall, it’s a big decision for you and the child, or children, you care for.
Things to consider when choosing childcare
- Factor in waiting lists. Nurseries and childminders, for example, tend to have waiting lists. Try to get as organised as possible but have a ‘plan b’ if you need to wait for a place to become available.
- Do your research. Look at the different childcare options available and decide which is right for the age of your child, your needs, and your budget. Don’t forget to check how close they are to your home or work, and if they can provide the days and times that you need childcare for.
- Draw up a shortlist. Make a list of all the different options that do meet your needs.
- Research each setting on your list. Visit the website of each option that you’ve shortlisted and read their Ofsted report.
- Talk to others. Ask your neighbours, friends, and other kinship carers in your area to recommend a childcare setting.
Things to ask once you’ve chosen a childcare setting
Now that you’ve found a childcare setting that meets your needs, it’s important to arrange a visit and come prepared with questions.
Questions you may want to consider, include:
- What experience and qualifications do the staff/carers have?
- How much does it cost? Are there extra costs, such as for nappies or milk
- Which days and times do they offer? Is there a minimum contract, and can you book half days or swap days?
- What happens if your child is sick? Or if you are late for pick-up.
- What types of contracts do they offer? Term-time only or all year-round? What about holiday cover, if term-time only?
- How will they help the child you care for to settle in?
Trust your judgement. Instinct is a powerful thing. If it doesn’t feel right – the setting doesn’t meet your standards, or those of Ofsted, it doesn’t resemble the photos online, you don’t get a good feeling – trust your gut.
If it seems a bit different to what you expected, but is otherwise OK, you may need to visit again to help you decide.
Don’t feel pressured. It’s important to find the right setting for the child in your care, and that may take a bit of time.
Find childcare near you
Search for local childcare provision on GOV.UK using the links below:
Find a nursery or pre-school (GOV.UK)
Find wraparound or holiday childcare (GOV.UK)
Find a registered childminder (GOV.UK)
Related content
Stepping up to raise a child can be expensive, and money worries are common for kinship carers. Find out what financial support and benefits are available to you.
Being a kinship carer can be challenging. When a child you care for has a disability or special educational needs, you may need extra support.
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