It amazes me, the variety of childcare options out there. Hopefully there is one to suit everybodies needs.

Family, Friends and Neighbours

Family, friends and neighbours may all be able to help out where they are able to, whether it be a regular occurance or not. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

Homestart

Homestart is a charity set up to provide support, friendship and practical help for parents of children under 5. They will connect you with a volunteer who will visit you for a few hours a couple of times a week. Unfortunately their network is not very extensive but you can find out if there is a scheme in your area via their website. Homestart

College Students

Students, studying nursery nursing qualifications or similar, need to have experience with young children. Contacting your local college's placement officer may be the easiest method of finding such help. Remember though that as the students are not yet qualified they should not be left with children under 8 years old unsupervised.

Free Places for 3 and 4 year olds

Since April 2004 all children will receive a free part time place from the age of 3. You get 5 sessions a week of two and a half hours duration during school terms. Places can be in school nursery or reception classes, day nurseries, playgroups or with some childminders.

Doulas

Doulas are usually thought of as a support partner for women in labour, but you can also hire a doula to help out a few hours a day for 6-8 weeks following birth. They are usually more flexible than other postnatal support and will help out with housework, school runs and shopping as well as caring for the mother and baby. Expect to pay between £10 and £15 an hour. See Doula UK for a map of doula's in the UK.

Maternity Nurses

A maternity nurse is usually a well qualified and experienced nanny with particular experience of looking after newborns. They usually live in with you and are available round the clock, with one day off a week.Live-out maternity nurses usually work 10 - 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Most care only for the mum and new baby though some will help with older siblings too. They aim to help you and baby into a routine with an emphasis on helping baby sleep through the night. You normally hire a maternity nurse for 4 - 12 weeks and need to book 5 - 7 months in advance. Expect to pay at least £550 a week.

Day Nurseries

Day Nurseries look after and educate children from around 6 weeks to 5 years. There are different types of nurseries including private, community, council and work place. They are normally open only during normal working hours. All nurseries have to be registered and are checked by ofstead. Expect to pay between £100 and £170 for a full time week.

Nannies

A nanny is a carer who looks after your child in your home. Levels of experience vary from newly qualified nannies straight out of college (many of whom will have had some childcare and baby-sitting experience) through to highly qualified and experienced professionals who have spent years caring for children in assisting busy families in running their lives smoothly. They can live in or out of your home. You are responsibe for paying their national insurance and tax. Expect to pay between £150 and £400 a week depending on hours worked, responsibilities and whether they live with you or not.

Child Minders

Child minders are self employed and care for children in their own homes. They have to be registered and are inspected once a year by ofsted. They can care for babies or look after children before and after school. Expect to pay between £90 and £140 for a full time week.

Mothers Help

A mothers help is usually an unqualified person, and as such can not have sole responsibility for a child. They work with all age groups and tend to help out with house work, shopping etc as well. Some may be live-in. Expect to pay around £4 an hour.

Playgroups / Pre-school

These are norrmally independantly run and provide play and education to 3- 5 year olds (some take 2yr olds as well). If you leave the child alone they have to be registered and inspected by ofsted. A session normally lasts 3 hours and costs £3 to £5 a session but you may be asked to pay for a block booking of around half a term in advance.

Nursery schools

Nursery schools take 3 - 5 year olds (some take 2yr olds) and are normally open in school hours during term time. Children can attend all day or for a session. It will almost certainly offer a Government-approved early years curriculum. There are state and private nursery schools. State school are normally free.

After School Clubs

These usually run from about 3:30pm till 6pm during term times. They may be run at your childs school or in a different venue. Activities usually include sports, crafts and outings. The typical cost for an after school club is £35 for 15 hours a week. Some schools also run breakfast clubs.

Holiday Clubs

Most areas have holiday clubs and playschemes that run during school holidays. Holiday clubs cost from £40 to £90 a week. Private holiday play schemes cost around £150 a week.

To find out what is available locally try putting your town or postcode into http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/index.asp and select the child care you require.

References:

http://doula.org.uk/index.php
http://www.goedkoop.vispa.com/whatdoes.html
http://www.eden-nannies.co.uk/ma_role.php
http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=1401&page_id=13
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/childcare