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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.
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
There are number of different funded places that families can access to support them with the costs of childcare.
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
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 5th 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.
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:
Applications will be completed on the www.childcarechoices.gov.uk website and further information about this process will appear on this page.
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
MITEY – Men In The Early Years (miteyuk.org)
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)
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.