Creches care for children from birth up to eight years or above. Care is part-time and usually covers the time when a parent is doing an activity, for example training. The parent will usually stay on the same premises as the child, but must be within a contactable distance. In Newcastle, some venues are registered to provide crèches and use staff from mobile crèche services.

Do creches have to be registered?

Creches only need to register with Ofsted if they:

• Provide care for children under eight, and
• They provide childcare for any individual child for more than two hours in any one day

Creches do not have to register with Ofsted if

• They only provide care for children over eight, or
• They do not provide childcare for any individual child for more than two hours in any one day, or
• They provide one-off childcare to support an activity, for example a training event, sports class or club,
• They care for children under eight for four hours or less each day, while the parents are in the same building or very nearby, or
• They care for children aged under eight from particular premises for 14 days or less in a year
  

Creches that care for children under five for more than two hours per day must register on the Ofsted Early Years Register. Creches that care for children between five and eight for more than two hours per day must be registered on the compulsory part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.

Crehes who do not legally have to register still have the option to register on the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register.

How much do creches cost?

Costs vary considerably but you can expect to pay from per hour. Some creches are provided free of charge if they are provided as part of a training session, conference or other event.

If you are paying for a creche which is registered with Ofsted, then you may be able to claim the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit.

For more information visit the help with the cost of childcare section.

How many children can a creche care for?

Ofsted say how many children a registered crèche can care for. This depends on the available space and staff. The staffing ratio ensures that there must be at least one staff member to every:

• three children under two years old;
• four children aged between two and three; and
• eight children aged between three and seven years.

There must be two members of staff present at all times. 

For further information on creches and services for children, young people and families, contact the Families Information Service