The online tool aims to make it easier for parents to look for Ofsted registered early years and childcare settings in their area.
The finder uses a postcode search to identify nearby registered nurseries, childminders, breakfast and after-school clubs, children’s centres and contact details for local authority Family Information Services.
The FCT said it would also be a useful service for parents who live on the boundary of a local authority area, as entering one postcode generates the details for all the surrounding local authority areas.
Kate Miller, product manager at the Family and Childcare Trust, said, ‘This free online search facility is easy for parents to use; they just enter their postcode to find registered childcare in their own local authority area and the surrounding areas, too.’
The service also provides links to advice on how to choose childcare and how to find help in covering childcare costs.
While the search facility currently only covers childcare providers in England, it will be expanded to cover Scotland and Wales in the future.
- The childcare finder can be accessed here