Parent + work = childcare. It's a simple equation, but one many mums and dads find difficult to solve. Will a nursery, childminder, nanny, au pair or family member be the best choice to meet your needs and, most importantly, those of your child?

In this comprehensive and user-friendly handbook, childcare expert and working mum Elyssa Campbell-Barr guides you through the process of finding the right childcare provider for your family. As well as looking at the pros and cons of each type of care, she give ideas of questions to ask and things to look out for when meeting prospective childcarers. There are also helpful hints on everything from your rights as a working parent to ways of making your chosen arrangement a success, and advice on crucial issues such paying for childcare and finding provision for children with additional needs.

With other working and studying parents sharing their experiences and top tips throughout the book – plus updates, further information and useful forms on this website – it all adds up to Choosing Childcare being an essential addition to any parent's bookshelf.