Childcare guide

Childcare refers to the services provided at settings, without the parent there. Childcare settings can be:

• daycare nurseries,
• before and after school clubs,
• holiday childcare,
• playgroups, and
• childminders.

Apart from Flying Start childcare, childcare settings charge a fee.

This guidance does not cover any activities where the parent or carer stays with the child. For example, parent and toddler groups, or commercial soft play settings. It also does not cover after school activities provided by schools, sports and leisure activities for children and young people, or open access play services.

Benefits of using childcare

There are many reasons you may want to use childcare.

For children

High quality childcare supports the healthy development of children and provides a positive influence on your child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development.

For parents and carers

If you know your child is being well looked after in a childcare setting, you can work or take advantage of training opportunities. It helps with work-life balance, and by supporting you to work, it can help increase family income. Childcare can also be used to give you some respite.

Your child’s right to play

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, your child has the right to play. Play is essential to your child’s:

• health and wellbeing,
• resilience,
• confidence,
• social skills,
• cognitive skills,
• motor skills, and
• development.

Childcare provides children with lots of opportunities to engage in self-directed play, in a safe and challenging environment.

Cardiff – A Child Friendly City

Cardiff is a UNICEF Child Friendly City – the first of its kind in the UK.

This is an important and internationally recognised award. It shows the steps the Council and its partners have taken to promote the human rights of children and young people in Cardiff.