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Showing posts with label Childcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Childcare. Show all posts

July 15, 2025

Defence update: Wraparound Childcare funding updates for autumn term 2025



Are you eligible to join the 9,000 Service families claiming up to £3,400, per child, per year, for their before and after school childcare costs?

What is Wraparound Childcare (WAC)?

The WAC scheme provides funding for up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, to eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if in receipt of disability allowances), who are in full-time education in school or being home educated. WAC funding is available to eligible working Service families in the UK, assigned overseas within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S), assigned overseas and using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision or assigned overseas unaccompanied with family remaining in an eligible location.

Since September 2022 WAC has provided funding for 12,500 Service children's before and after school childcare.

WAC funding does not provide childcare spaces, it is funding for costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

Wraparound childcare is also known as ‘Out of School care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland.

July 7, 2025

Scotland: Scottish Childminding Association - Will your little one soon be eligible for ELC funded hours?

If you haven't chosen a childcare setting already, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what is the best option for you and your family when there are so many choices ๐Ÿ˜•

For some families, this may be the first time your child has been looked after in a professional setting, for others you may be looking to prepare them for the routine of school. 
It's a big decision.

Here are some reasons why a childminder could be perfect for your family:
๐Ÿ’ Tailored support - Childminding has the lowest adult-to-child ratios of all childcare options
๐Ÿ’ Quality, home-based setting - Evidence has shown childminding can enhance a child’s early learning, confidence and social development
๐Ÿ’ Flexible, blended and wraparound care options to fit around family life
๐Ÿ’ Mix of ages which enhances social skills, development and confidence

July 1, 2025

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council Childcare Choices

 


Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before. Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

June 30, 2025

Bovington: Wool primary school - New Pre-school opening in Sept 2025

 



Available to all families across Wool and the surrounding areas.

We are looking forward to welcoming families into our new and purpose built Pre-School based at Wool Primary School on Fri 5th Sept at 2pm, before fully opening on Mon 8th Sept. 

Please email Wool.office@coastalpartnershp.co.uk to find out more, secure your child's space & receive your invitaiton to visit.

Click HERE for details on the Pre-School and its new facilities

Open to children age two and above. Wrap around care also offered. 7.30am - 5.30pm (5pm on Fridays)

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Vale of Glamorgan: Summer Index Newsletter - for children and young people with disabilities or additional needs

Vale Family Information Service:

Welcome to our Summer Index newsletter


The newsletter for children and young people with disabilities or additional needs in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Index newsletter - Summer 2025, Issue 48

June 24, 2025

Winchester - Home-Start Family Groups


Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

June 23, 2025

Increase to Early Years childcare funded hours for eligible working families assigned overseas

From September 2025 eligible working families assigned overseas will have access to up to 30 hours of funded Early Years childcare for their children aged from 9 months old.

Early Years funded childcare overseas.

To reflect the offer available in England, all families assigned overseas with children aged 3 to 4 years old, and 2-year-old children in receipt of additional government support, are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks per year).

Defence is expanding the childcare offer for working families assigned overseas with children aged 9 months to school starting age, to match the entitlement in England.

From September 2025 eligible working families can claim funding for up to 30 hours per week, per child aged 9 months old to school starting age, during term time (38 weeks per year).

This is an increase to the additional funded hours that became available in September 2024, in which 15 hours of Early Years childcare funding, per week, per child, during term time, became available for eligible working families with children aged 9 months to 3 years old.

For more information about the Early Years Childcare available in England, please go to Early Years childcare | Childcare Choices (GOV.UK).

June 18, 2025

Grantham: Lincolnshire Family Services Directory


Lincolnshire Family Services Directory

Helps you find information on useful local organisations and activities where you live.
The directory also supports Lincolnshire's family hubs and the start for life programme.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

June 11, 2025

Surrey: childcare provision and funding - Surrey Additional Needs and Disabilities


Childcare providers have a legal duty to offer extra support to meet the needs of a child with a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This might include installing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to their premises, or training staff to use special equipment. 

They will also be able to apply to Surrey County Council to access additional support and funding to help pay for extra staff, training or resources that have been identified as necessary to allow your child to attend their setting. More information is available on the Surrey website below.

Click HERE for more information. 

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

June 10, 2025

Brecon: Flying Start Childcare is expanding in Powys

 
Join Flying Start Community (BRECON) on Facebook for updates and information on what is happening in Brecon for families of children under 5.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Early Education & Childcare Staffordshire - Childcare and You 2025 Survey


 Please complete the survey via QR code or via this link HERE

Information supplied: Central HIVE Hub

June 9, 2025

Hampshire: Home Start Hampshire in Rushmoor & Hart



At Home-Start Hampshire we run a range of family groups which are by referral only, third party or self-referral. The groups are supported by trained and experienced volunteers who will ensure you and your little one(s) are welcomed, feel safe and have a positive experience.

All of our groups provide a safe non-judgmental environment where families can make the first steps to regular social interaction and peer support.

To refer a family to one of our groups, or make a self-referral please complete and return a referral form, which can be found HERE

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

May 14, 2025

Grantham: What is start for life?



New Start for Life booklets available at the HIVE Community Centre, Bldg. 162.

Information provided by Grantham HIVE


 

May 13, 2025

Surrey: funded childcare in Surrey


From April 2024, funded early education will be expanding. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. 

The new entitlements will be introduced in phases: 

- From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child's 2nd birthday

- From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 year olds can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months

Bicester: tower treasures baby and toddler group - every Thursday during termtime


Baby and toddler drop-in group ages 0-4. Play, enjoy refreshments, stories, songs and a chat! The Parish Room, St Michael at the North Gate, termtime Thursdays 1000-1145hrs. 

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

April 30, 2025

Dorset: Local childcare and family services

 

Image: Dorset county council 

Do you need information on child-minders and childcare facilities in your area or have a child with SEND and need support or information? Click HERE

Information provided by Bovington HIVE