Choosing childcare or an early years provider
Finding the right childcare can feel overwhelming, especially if your child has an additional need or disability. There is no right or wrong choice. Childcare should suit your family and adapt as your child's and family needs change. Bromley offers inclusive and specialist childcare options:
Inclusive childcare options
Day nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, and clubs that welcome children with different needs must:
- make reasonable adjustments
- involve families in decisions
- plan ahead for positive outcomes
Explore Bromley's Childcare options page.
Specialist Childcare
Bromley Mencap Childminding Network
For children and young people with severe or complex needs, Bromley Mencap offers a specialist Childminding Network.
The Bromley Mencap Childminding Network has a team of registered, Ofsted inspected childminders who are trained to care for children with disabilities aged from birth to 16. The service is flexible and can be tailor-made to meet your needs.
The Network Plus childminding network - also provided by Bromley Mencap, offers 1:1 care to children with a severe learning disability and a complex medical need or complex communication difficulty.
You can find out more details, and request support by contacting Bromley Mencap.
Petts Wood Special Needs Playgroup
Petts Wood Playgroup is an independent Registered Charity who provides pre-school care and education for children with special needs from birth to five years.
The special needs include physical disabilities, developmental delay, behavioural and social problems that can cause difficulties for children and parents alike.
The Playgroup cares for 15 children with varying additional needs each day.
Referral is open i.e. made by anyone involved with the care of an individual child, be it a GP, other professional or parents themselves. The family are invited to visit the playgroup and this can be followed by subsequent visits at home. Parents are always welcome to stay or pop in.
Escorted transport is available.
Find out more visit Petts Wood Special Needs Playgroup website
Riverside School
Riverside School provides part-time nursery places for children who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. In some exceptional cases, if a child is under assessment and needs significant support, the Local Authority may offer an “assessment place.” All places are allocated by the Local Authority to ensure children receive the right support.
Childcare costs
Find out more about childcare costs.
Need more help?
Contact the Information, Advice and Support Service for free, impartial information, advice and support for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Support is also offered to children and young people with SEND. They can also help provide information in a non-web format.