When choosing childcare you should first consider your child's needs and what's available in your area. Would your child be happier with a childminder or would he prefer being looked after in a nursery?

Childminders are self-employed and look after children in their own home. They have to be registered with different governing bodies, depending on their location (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern and Southern Ireland have different governing bodies) and are subject to the rules and inspection regimes imposed by those bodies. As well as looking after the pre-school child, some offer childcare before or after school.

To help your child settle quickly with a childminder, they should be informed of the child's routine as well as likes and dislikes.

Nurseries look after and educate children up to the age of five. Most are run privately while others are run by the local authority and are often attached to primary schools. All nurseries have to be registered and inspected by their local authority.

When selecting a nursery for your child check the hours are suitable and find out what the fees are and what the fees will cover. If your child is three years old you may be entitled to a free part-time place and if your child is four then you are entitled to a free part-time place. However, admissions depend on the number of places available.

Check what arrangements will be made during holidays, when there's illness or in an emergency. These are essential considerations for working parents. Also make sure the nursery is easy to get to from home as well as from work.

The early years are the most formative of a child's life, so choosing the right childcare and a happy environment will go a long way towards the child's future development.

DAY NURSERIES

During the early years a child develops very quickly, so it is important when selecting a nursery to ensure the child's physical, intellectual and emotional needs will be catered for.

Before enrolling your child you should visit the nursery to check its suitability - it should be warm, friendly and welcoming and, above all, child-centred.

Most day nurseries are run privately and look after children up to the age of five. Some offer places for babies while others cater for the three to five-year-olds.

Some local authorities run day nurseries and often primary schools have nurseries attached. All nurseries should be registered and inspected by their local authority.

When deciding on a nursery for your child check the hours are suitable and find out what the fees are and what the fees will cover. If your child is three-years-old you may be entitled to a free part-time place and if your child is four then you are entitled to a free part-time place. However, admissions depend on the number of places available.

It is important to know what happens during holidays and what arrangements will be made when there's illness or in an emergency - these are important considerations for working parents. Also make sure the nursery is easy to get to from home and from work.

The early years are the most formative of a child's life, so choosing a nursery they'll be happy in will go a long way towards their future development.