Few parents are lucky enough to get through to the school years without paying for childcare at some point.

If returning to work is a financial necessity, if you don't have very accommodating grandparents living nearby, or if you're just desperate to get back into your career - here are some of the choices open to you.

Registered childminders
Professional childminders are inspected and registered by the local social services department of their local authority. Flexible and convenient, they look after no more than six children under the age of 8, no more than 3 children under the age of 5 and rarely more than one baby under 12 months. They may even continue to care for your child after he starts school.

Workplace creche
Many parents are keen on this option but it's less popular among employers. Only 1 in 10 provides help such as childcare allowances, vouchers or subsidised childcare services.

Day nurseries and playgroups
Great fun for toddlers, not only allowing them more resources and activities than thay get at home, but an enviable social life too. Some parents prefer to trust their toddler to a number of adult carers than leave them in the sole charge of an unsupervised nanny or au pair. However, state nurseries can be scarce and a private day nursery costs between £80 and £200 a week.

Au pairs
The ideal au pair is energetic, enthusiastic and surprisingly mature, with a flair for childcare and fluent English. The au pair from hell is a sulky teenager who feeds your toddler bubble gum, borrows your makeup and goes home pregnant. Can you guarantee a good au pair? And is an au pair the right choice for your family?

Nannies
An expensive option. Can you afford a nanny? Is nanny-sharing a possibility? Are you looking for formal qualifications? Live-in or live-out? What are your expectations? What will a nanny expect of you?