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Childcare for Your Little Angels
Combining a career with a family is never going to be easy. Gone are the days of strapping a baby to your back and working in the fields (not that I'm complaining!).
You have to learn to juggle many things at once, prioritise what's most important and stick to a schedule to keep things running smoothly. Dropping one of the balls will result in someone crying, probably you. As parents you're in command of the troops, and everyday can feel like a battle.
Researching childcare that you and your family are happy with is a big task. You want to make sure you little ones are safe and secure, so you need to go through government and Ofsted childcare approved childcare providers.
If you are using a Nursery, you want to make sure it's up to the correct standards by checking the Ofsted inspection reports, or if using a childminder that they are government registered.
Make a list of providers in your area, and go take a look around, you're the parent and no amount of inspections or certificates can take the place of your judgment. You know what's best for your child. Remember that if you are thinking about hiring a nanny, government -sponsored registration and accreditation schemes do not cover them, it's up to you as the parent to get references and make checks that this person is capable of caring for your child.
DirectGov -
Advice on Choosing Childcare
http://www.direct.gov.uk/
ChildcareLink
A searchable database of childcare providers by area.
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk
Simply Childcare
A magazine published every other week advertising childcare opportunities.
http://www.simplychildcare.com/