The transformative impact of early education and childcare for you and your child

Choosing the right childcare is an important step for your family. You might need it because you're going back to work, you need some time for yourself, or you want your child to spend time with other children and try new activities. 

Quality childcare is much more than looking after your child while you work. It can make a real difference to your whole family. It helps your child learn and grow and can make family life better in many ways. The government offers more help with childcare costs, so childcare is easier for families to access.

Help with childcare costs: what support is available?

The cost of childcare is an important consideration for most families. The good news is there’s more government help available now than ever before. 

Government childcare support

For all families:

• 15 hours childcare per week for 38 weeks - for all three- and four-year-olds in England.

• 15 hours childcare per week for 38 weeks for two-year-olds - for families in England receiving certain benefits or with children who have additional needs.

For working families:

• 30 hours childcare per week for 38 weeks - for working families in England with a child aged 9 months up to school age (if you meet the eligibility requirements), saving an average of £8,000 a year for every child.

• Tax-Free Childcare - working families across the UK can get up to £2,000 per child per year from 0 to 11 years old (£4,000 for disabled children aged 0 to 16 years old) to help pay for childcare. 

• Universal Credit childcare support - for working parents across the UK, you can get help with up to 85% of childcare costs you need to help you work.

For school-aged children:

• Breakfast clubs and after-school care - growing support for primary school children up to age 11 (or age 16 if your child is disabled).

If you’re self-employed, work shifts or have a zero-hours contract, you may still be able to get support.

Find out what childcare support you could be eligible for and how to apply on the Best Start in Life website.

The benefits of childcare for children

When parents on Mumsnet share their childcare stories, they talk about much more than just the practical help. They often say their children became more confident, built meaningful friendships and developed skills that helped them thrive when starting school and beyond. 

1. Learning to be with other people

Childcare settings let children spend time with other children and trained professionals. They learn to share, wait their turn, express their feelings and understand how other people feel.

"I feel that it is helping him to respect authority from others outside of his immediate family. I hope that it's teaching him to mix and respond well to his peers. It's certainly helped him with some of the essentials for school, such as potty/toilet training too." - Kim, 36-year-old mum of two

Childcare providers follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) rules in England, meaning children develop important skills in three main areas:

1. Communication and language: listening to instructions, understanding, talking with others, taking turns and sharing ideas.

2. Physical development: getting stronger and better at moving, practising fine motor skills like using a spoon and fork and learning to hold a pencil.

3. Personal, social and emotional development: making friends, managing and expressing feelings, building confidence and learning to take care of themselves.

2. Learning to do things independently

Many parents notice their children become more confident and able to do things for themselves after attending childcare regularly. Children learn to zip up and hang up their coat, eat their lunch, use the toilet on their own, and solve small problems without always asking for help.

"General contributions are a more resilient child, more confidence, happy to interact with teachers and other children, [and] good numerical skills. [My child] has learnt independence and what he can achieve with it. Even [at] dinner time and better cutlery usage he generally gets so proud of himself showing us his cutting skills at dinner time." - Naomi, 39-year-old mum of two

3. Learning through play

Most childcare settings offer activities and equipment that families may not have at home, such as spaces for messy play, outdoor learning areas and activities led by trained childcare professionals. 

The EYFS rules make sure children learn in four specific areas: 

1. Literacy: enjoying books and stories, learning sounds and starting to write.

2. Mathematics: counting, seeing patterns and comparing amounts.

3. Understanding the world: learning about people, places, technology and nature.

4. Arts and creativity: imaginative play, drawing, music, movement and telling stories.

"We really like our daughter's setting and see them as being essential - also they educate my child, she does exciting things with them she wouldn't be able to do at home, and have tips/observations that are so helpful - they are part of our village albeit one we pay for." - Fiona, 38-year-old mum of one

4. Getting ready for school

Data shows that at age five, children who had attended early education and care had better cognitive skills, including language, early number concepts and pre-reading, compared with children who did not.

Many Mumsnet users say their children settled into school more easily because they were already used to being in groups, following instructions, and looking after their own things.

"It gets them used to the longer days and also the formality of school and learning. They get used to having adults around who nurture how they grow. They also generally learn more at nursery than they would at home, which puts them [in a good position] when starting school." - Sarah, 39-year-old mum of four

Choose from private nurseries, childminders or preschool settings 

How childcare helps parents and families

Children aren’t the only ones who benefit from childcare. Parents often talk about how the right childcare has helped their work, relationships, mental health and family life overall. 

1. Work and career

For many families, reliable childcare makes it possible to work - whether that's going back to work after having a baby, working more hours, studying, or moving forward in your career.

"Me and DH had to work full time, that was just a fact of life, so DD needed to go to childcare. We found a great nursery, and she started when she was nine months old full time." - Mumsnet user, InfoSecInTheCity

The government offers more help with childcare costs for working families with children from nine months old up to school age. And the help continues after age five - there are breakfast clubs and after-school care for primary school children.

2. Time for yourself

Parents who use part-time childcare often say that even a few hours a week makes a big difference to how they feel and helps them spend better quality time with their children when they're together.

3. Support from childcare professionals

Trained early years professionals don't just look after your child - they work with you to help your child develop. Many parents value the insights, observations, and practical advice they get from nursery staff, childminders, and pre-school teachers.

"I also trust [that] nursery will partner with me/support on things like potty training - important for school readiness." - Fiona, 38-year-old mum of one

Having trusted, experienced professionals to ask for advice can be especially helpful if this is your first child or if you're facing any challenges with your child's development.

4. Meeting other families

For families who don't have relatives nearby or who don't know many people locally, childcare settings can become an important part of your support network. You'll meet other families, potentially make friends, and feel more connected to your local area.

What types of childcare are available?

Every family is different, and so is every child. Some children do well in large nurseries  with lots of other children, while others are happier in smaller or home-based settings. The important thing is finding somewhere that offers warm relationships with adults, clear routines, and opportunities for children to play, explore and try things for themselves.

Here are the main types of childcare, plus what Mumsnet users say about them.

Nurseries

These are usually larger childcare settings that are open full-time (often 7.30am to 6pm). They're run by private companies or charities. They follow the EYFS rules and often look after babies up to children about to start school.

What Mumsnet users say

“We used a private nursery from when DD was a toddler until starting school because we needed the hours it offered. It was quite a big nursery with a separate preschool section where they did a good job of preparing them for school (routines, letter of the week etc.).

“DD was well prepared for school and settled in easily. I don't think she would have benefited academically from attending the school nursery over the private one she attended.” Mumsnet user, LetItGoToRuin.

Childminders

Registered childminders look after small groups of children in their own homes. They follow the EYFS curriculum and are checked by Ofsted in England.

What Mumsnet users say

“[...] They learn from ‘older children’. They learn to be caring and careful and understanding of younger children. My childminder is out with them all day everyday - they go to the zoo, parks, playgroups etc. she has even taken them swimming if she only has two! This is the biggest pro for me - they have their whole lives to be in one room. 

“They do tend to be cheaper (although this wasn’t a deciding factor for me). You can have a long-term relationship - my childminder collects from the school my son attends so he has been with her from 10 months and still goes once a week after school. It’s his favourite day of the week [...]” Mumsnet user, Tryingtohelp12. 

School-based nurseries 

These settings usually run during school hours and school terms only. They're often on school sites or run by local councils. Some will offer childcare for ages three and four, whereas others will cater for younger children. This will depend on the individual setting as there are different regulations for schools to follow depending on the age group.   

What Mumsnet users say

“School nurseries are term time only and typically 9am to 3pm. They may or may not have wrap-around care. They can be good for the transition to reception at [the] same site, lots of the same friends but unless it’s a private school then remember that nursery attendance doesn’t guarantee a school place [...] DS is at a school nursery. 

“Overall this is the most convenient option for us because his big sister is at the same school. They do have wrap around care which we use twice a week [...] We’re very happy with it.” Mumsnet user InTheRainOnATrain.

Breakfast clubs and after-school care

For primary school children, many schools now offer breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and care during school holidays. This support is available for children up to age 11, or up to age 16 if your child is disabled. This helps working parents because school hours are often shorter than working hours.

For more information on childcare options, head to the Best Start in Life’s childcare eligibility checker here.

Find a childcare provision for your child that suits them, their age and personality

What if my child hasn't been to formal childcare?

Not every child goes to formal childcare before starting school, and that's completely fine. The things you do at home - talking, reading, playing and getting your child involved with simple tasks - are very valuable for their development.

You can still give your child time with other children through:

• Local library sessions and story times

• Playgroups and drop-in play sessions

• Visits to parks, museums and local community spaces

• Spending time with other families and their children

The Best Start in Life website has simple ideas for helping your child learn and develop at home, without needing expensive toys or resources.

Finding the right childcare for your family

There’s no “right” age to start childcare and no single type of childcare that’s best for every child. What matters is finding something that: 

• Works with your family’s schedule and budget

• Feels right for your child’s personality and needs

• Has warm, consistent relationships with the people caring for your child

• Gives children chances to play, learn and develop

Even part-time childcare - just a few mornings a week - can help your child build confidence, get used to routines and enjoy time with other children. 

Where to get help and advice

If you're not sure about childcare options or funding, good places to start include:

• The Best Start in Life website: information about different types of childcare, free hours, and who can get help.

• Childcare support checker: government service with tools to check what you're entitled to.

• Your local Family Hub: information about childcare providers in your area.

• Mumsnet's childcare forum: real experiences and advice from other parents.

If your child has special needs, your local council can help you understand what support and specialist childcare is available.

About Best Start in Life

The Best Start in Life website brings together information and support for every stage of your child's early years and beyond. From pregnancy to childcare, get advice and support for your child’s development at BestStartinLife.gov.uk.

It's also where you can: find out about government childcare support schemes, use the childcare support eligibility checker, get details on breakfast clubs and wraparound childcare and learn the key skills your child needs to start Reception.