Returning to Work- Your Childcare Options

Returning to work after a period spent completely focused on your new baby may feel a little daunting – no matter how much you are looking forward catching up with colleagues and undertaking new professional challenges. Knowing that you have made fully considered all your options and made the childcare arrangements which will work best for your child and your family will help put your mind at rest and provide a comfortable beginning for this new phase of your family life.

There are several options to consider and only you will know what is right for you and your circumstances. You may want to keep your childcare on an informal footing with a family member, you may choose to employ a nanny or a childminder, or look for a nursery which is near to your home or to work. You might even opt for a combination of care types! When making your choice, think about the factors which are most important to you: these may include affordability, convenience, flexibility, a structured learning environment, opportunities for your child to build friendships – plus of course that extra factor that makes you feel comfortable and reassured.

If nursery care is an option you would like to explore, we would like to invite you to visit a Bright Horizons nursery and see for yourself the safe, loving and stimulating environment we could offer your child and your family. With reassuringly high standards of care and excellent facilities, we can provide the individual attention and stimulus your child needs to feel happy and confident when at nursery.

We welcome children from the age of three months to five years, recognising that each child will have very different needs which depend not just on how old they are, but also on individual personality and abilities. We take the greatest care to provide the right level of support and encouragement so your child can grow in confidence, build on important social skills, and learn at their own pace.

Babies at our nurseries enjoy a safe world where they each receive individual attention from caring staff who follow the babies’ established home routines while gently supporting their early learning. We provide toddlers with exciting opportunities which promote their rapidly developing skills and physical abilities, encouraging them to learn new words, to improve co ordination and to develop personal, social and emotional skills through play with other children and our staff team. When your child reaches the preschool stage our Ready for School activities – both at the nursery and with ideas provided for you to try at home – will help you and your child prepare for school and look forward to a lifetime of learning.’

To help you feel reassured and to ease your child’s transition between home and nursery we offer you and your child free settling- in nursery sessions when you can meet your child’s key person and get to know each other as you begin to partner in your child’s learning.

We would love to show you why each of our nurseries is truly a special place. Discover your nearest Bright Horizons nursery here – or if you prefer, contact our parent enquiry team on 0800 085 4074, parentenquiry@brighthorizons.com - we look forward to meeting you!