Find childcare in Norfolk

If you need to find childcare in Norfolk:

• Search our Norfolk Community Directory. It lists over 1,300 Ofsted registered childcare providers in Norfolk
• Our Family Information Service offers advice and can help you find childcare
• Read our guidance on choosing quality childcare
• Read our guidance on early years transitions and how to prepare for your child starting at a childcare setting

Looking for childcare outside of Norfolk?

If you are moving outside of Norfolk and looking for childcare in a neighbouring county, you can contact:

Suffolk Family Information Service
Email: childcare.planning@suffolk.gov.uk
Tel: 03456 080033

Cambridgeshire Family Information Service
Email: fis@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 0345 045 1360

Lincolnshire Family Information Service
Email: fis@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Tel: 0800 195 1635

Registered childcare providers

Only registered childcare providers can charge for caring for children under the age of 8 for more than 2 hours a day away from the child's home. They are registered with Ofsted and inspected by them. 

By using a registered childcare provider you may be able to get help with childcare costs.

It's not compulsory to be registered with Ofsted if a childcare provider only cares for children over the age of 8, or they're a nanny providing care in the child's home. They can join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. This means parents can claim tax-free childcare and the childcare part of tax credits and universal credits. 

A registered childcare provider must request a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to make sure they have no previous criminal convictions that stop them from working with children and vulnerable people. They are regularly inspected to ensure they are providing a safe and suitable service.

You can register as a childcare provider on the GOV.UK website.

Unregistered childcare providers

This is a person or organisation that's not registered with Ofsted but provides some sort of childcare, usually to children aged 8 and over or from the child's own home. This includes nannies and people who provide activity-based care, like sports clubs. 

These are some of the childcare providers who don't have to register:

• babysitters, when the care is between 6pm and 2am in the home
• nannies and au pairs, caring for a child or children in the child's own home
• home educators and home tutor
• blood relatives caring for a child or children they are related to
• recreational and sporting activity providers
• some under 8s crèches that last 4 hours or under with a parent present
• anyone providing childcare for less than 2 hours per day
• anyone providing childcare for a friend for up to 3 hours a day for reward

We recommend you talk to the unregistered childcare provider to make sure your child will be safe and happy there. You could ask:

• for references
• what checks they carry out 
• if these checks apply to all their staff
• what safeguarding and first aid training they complete
• if the activities they do are stimulating and suitable for the age of your child

Find out more about help with the cost of childcare.

Search for childcare

Search our Norfolk Community Directory to find childcare. You can filter by childcare type, location, and availability.

Can't find childcare?

Contact our family information service outreach team if you're having difficulty finding childcare. Our family information officers will offer support to help you find the childcare that meets your family's needs.

Email: FIS@norfolk.gov.uk

Tel: 0344 800 8020

Most childminders look after children in the childminder's own home. 

Childminders have to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which supports your child's early education in the same way as a nursery or pre-school. 

Childminders should be registered with Ofsted or a childminding agency. Childminders should be able to provide you with a copy of their Ofsted report or you can view a copy online at Ofsted's website. You will need the childminder's unique reference number (URN) to find a report. All childminders have to have insurance and follow safeguarding and health and safety policies. 

Find a childminder

Nursery classes in schools provide early education and childcare and can offer full day and sessional places.

Local authority nurseries are part of a nursery or primary school maintained by the local county council.

Private nursery schools or classes are owned privately or independently. They may be a run from a nursery unit of an independent school. Some nursery schools offer a particular educational approach, for example Steiner or Montessori.

Find a nursery school or nursery class

Day nurseries offer childcare and early learning for children from babies to school age. They are located on non-domestic premises and your child can attend full-time or part-time.

Find a day nursery

Pre-schools and playgroups provide early years learning and childcare. They are usually run by the private, voluntary or independent sector and are based within the local community.

Find a pre-school or playgroup

When your child starts school, you may need childcare for before school, after school and during the school holidays.

Breakfast clubs

Breakfast clubs are open in the mornings before school starts. Some groups offer breakfast for the children attending. Breakfast clubs attached to schools will usually only accept children who attend the school, but you should check. Some separate breakfast clubs may offer a transport service to schools.

Find a breakfast club

After-school clubs

After-school clubs are open in the afternoons after school finishes, usually until 6pm. Some groups offer snacks and/or tea for the children attending. After-school clubs attached to schools will usually only accept children who attend the school, but you should check. Some separate after-school clubs may offer a transport service to pick up from local schools.

Find an after-school-club

Holiday play schemes/ holiday clubs

Holiday play schemes are clubs which provide school-age children with care and activity opportunities during school holidays. They might be run by your local school or a private organisation on a school site, at a community centre, village hall, leisure centre or a similar venue.

Find a holiday play scheme

Home-based childcare is when the person employed to provide care does so in your own home. They could be a:

• Nanny
• Au pair
• Babysitter

There are no legal requirements if someone wishes to work as a home childcarer, unless they choose to join the voluntary element of the childcare register with OFSTED.

Home childcarers cannot offer the early years funded hours for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.