If you're a parent looking for childcare, chances are you've come across the word "Ofsted" more than once. It's printed on nursery windows, mentioned in prospectuses, and often one of the first things parents ask about when comparing settings. But what exactly is Ofsted, how do its ratings work, and how much weight should they really carry when you're choosing where to send your child?

Childcare in England has rarely been out of the headlines in recent years, and for good reason. The cost, availability, and quality of childcare sits at the heart of many families' daily lives – affecting when parents can return to work, how much money they have in their pocket, and how children develop in those critical early years. Read all about the current political childcare landscape here!

Read an overview on four of the most useful government childcare savings benefits.