This page provides links and information on childcare and early years funded places. This includes how to find childcare, help with childcare costs and setting up as a childcare provider.

Our partner site, MyLifeWarrington.co.uk can be used to find childcare by typing childcare in the keyword box at the top of the page and your postcode in the box to the right of this.

Types of Childcare

There are lots of different types of childcare on offer which you can mix and match to fit within your working hours, study or training. Information on the different types and what to consider when choosing childcare can be found on MyLifeWarrington.co.uk

Things to consider when choosing childcare

Paying for Childcare

There are number of different funded places that families can access to support them with the costs of childcare.

2 Year Old Funded Early Education

Some two year old children can access a funded place from the term after their second birthday if their circumstances meet certain eligibility criteria you can find out more and check to see if you are eligible at warrington.gov.uk/twoyearfunding

3 and 4 Year Old Funded Early Education

Funded Early Education places are available to all three and four year olds from the term after their third birthday until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). Their last term of funding will be the term with their 5^th birthday in it.  

Your child is entitled to 570 hours of childcare, which is usually taken as 15 hours per week, over 38 weeks the year.

Places are available at all types of childcare providers as long as they are registered to deliver early years education places.  The level of flexibility that is offered will depend on a childcare provider's individual circumstances.

30 Hours Extended Entitlement for eligible 3 and 4 Year Olds

The majority of working parents of three and four year olds could be eligible for an additional 15 hours of childcare per week. You may have seen or heard it referred to as 30 hours funded childcare. There is a different process for 30 hours funded childcare for foster carers. Full details of the eligibility and when to apply, for both types of extended offer, can be found on My Life Warrington

To check your eligibility and complete an application to receive your 30 hour code confirming your eligibility, go to the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

You can also use the Childcare Calculator at www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator to see what offers are available to support you and your family.

If you experience problems finding out your eligibility or have questions, you can contact Childcare Service Customer Interaction Service on 0300 123 4097.

Following the recent Budget 2023 announcement new funded places will be introduced in the following ways:

Eligible homes where all adults work 16+hours (in paid employment).

• From April 2024, 2 year olds in eligible families will be able to apply to receive 15 hours for term time, 38 weeks of the year. If eligible the place might not start immediately but probably from the term following they reach the correct age and receive an eligible application.
• From September 2024, children aged 9 months up to 3 years of age in eligible families will be able to apply to receive 15 hours for term time, 38 weeks of the year. If eligible the place might not start immediately but probably from the term following they reach the correct age and receive an eligible application.

• From September 2025, children 9 month old to school age in eligible families will be able to apply to receive 30 hours for term time, 38 weeks of the year. If eligible the place might not start immediately but probably from the term following they reach the correct age and receive an eligible application.

Applications will be completed on the www.childcarechoices.gov.uk website and further information about this process will appear on this page.

Working in Childcare

For a rewarding, challenging, progressive, flexible, and fun career... choose childcare

This short video from the National Day Nursery Association provides an idea of what a day in the life of an early years practitioner is really like. Please note there might be adverts before the video starts playing.

Try taster days, work experience, childcare apprenticeships or become a childminding assistant. More information can be found by visiting:

Working in childcare - pacey.org.uk

#firstfiveyearscount - NDNA

MITEY – Men In The Early Years (miteyuk.org)

Starting a childcare business

Information on how to register and run a childcare business can be found on gov.uk website

Starting a nursery or other daycare and running the business - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Become a childminder or nanny (England): Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Training and Professional Development

Information on the courses that are currently running as well as additional resources can be found on MyEarlyYearsServices – Warrington website. To book a place on any course, you need to be registered on My Early Years Services

There are childcare training courses that cater for all childcare practitioners, including childminders, if you're looking to develop your skills and meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the common core of skills and knowledge for the children's workforce, and Ofsted.