Childcare Options Registered childcare There are several different types of childcare that are required by law to be registered: - Childminders
- Day nurseries
- Playgroups
- Out of school clubs (includes Breakfast Clubs, After School Clubs and Summer/Holiday Schemes if providing care for children under 12 years of age and for more than 2 hours a day)
Unregistered Childcare Other forms of childcare which are available, but which do not have to be registered, include: - Nannies
- Au Pairs
- Mother’s help
A separate information sheet is available for this type of childcare. You can only claim help for childcare costs through Tax Credits, or pay for childcare with Childcare Vouchers, if you use registered childcare. Who is childcare registered with? All childcare settings are registered with their local Health and Social Services Trust (HSST) (Northern Ireland HSSTs are the equivalent of Local Authorities in England). How are registered childcare providers regulated? Registered childcare providers are inspected once a year by the local HSST and are required to demonstrate that they are meeting standards set by the Children’s (NI) Order 1995. All staff working directly with children (or in the case of childminders, everyone over the age of 10 who lives in the house) must be police checked as part of the registration process. When choosing a childcare setting parents can ask the childcare provider for a copy of the inspection report (alternatively these are available from the registering Health & Social Services Trust).
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