The government has introduced new ways to help parents with childcare costs including:
30 Hours Free Childcare for 3 and 4 year old children
From September 2017 working families in England with 3 and 4-year-old children could be eligible for up to 30 hours free childcare. Parents of children who will be 3 by 31st August can apply now.
To find out more visit the childcare choices website.
Tax Free Childcare
If you're a working parent with children under 12 (or under 17 for disabled children) you can open an online account to pay for registered childcare. The government will top-up the money you pay into the account. For every £8 you pay in the government will add an extra £2. You can receive up to £2,000 per child.
To find out more visit the childcare choices website.
Help with childcare costs
- 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds
- 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
- Tax Free Childcare
- childcare choices
Looking for childcare
Visit Livewell Southend to find out what childcare is available in Southend
Childcare for Children with Additional Needs
Find out what childcare is available in Southend for children with additional needs.
Information for childcare providers
- becoming a childminder
- training for childcare practitioners: Southend Learning Network (SLN
- Tax Free Childcare for childcare providers
Children's Centres
Find out about services on offer at children's centres in Southend-on-Sea.
Childcare Sufficiency
Find out further information about childcare sufficiency in Southend-on-Sea.
Safeguarding
More child and family services
- parent and family support services, parenting courses and leisure activities can be found on the Livewell website.
- Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF)