Childcare
In Wirral, families have different types of childcare available, including options for children with special needs. Childcare services in Wirral are committed to supporting all children, including those with disabilities or special requirements. They work closely with families to meet each child's specific needs and create inclusive environments.
Families can choose from nurseries, preschools, childminders, and after-school clubs. Childcare providers in Wirral collaborate with professionals like therapists to ensure comprehensive care for children with special needs. Families can contact local authorities or relevant organisations in Wirral to explore specialised childcare options tailored to their child's needs.
This map has been designed to help you discover the available Childcare Providers in Wirral.
Here you will find providers, schools, pre-schools and after school clubs.
To enlarge the map, click the square in the top right corner. Use the plus and minus symbols in the bottom left to zoom in, and click the square in the top left to easily filter services or select a specific provider from the list.
We aim to make this map as helpful as possible for you and your family. If you can't find a specific service or want to add your own service or venue, please fill out the "Get in Touch" form below, and we'll take care of it.
Childminders
Childminders are not currently displayed on the map due to the fact that they work from their home address.
Childcare.co.uk helps parents seeking childcare connect with local childcare providers such as babysitters, nannies, registered childminders, nurseries and private tutors. Parents simply choose the type of childcare they are looking for and enter their postcode to see a list of local childcare providers.
Childcare Funding
Childcare funding in the UK is designed to provide financial support and assistance to families in accessing quality childcare services. The government offers several options to help parents cover the costs associated with childcare. The most well-known scheme is the Tax-Free Childcare, where eligible families receive a government top-up for every pound they spend on childcare. Additionally, there is the 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme, which offers eligible working parents 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged 3 and 4. For families with children under the age of 2, the government provides support through the Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit programs. These initiatives aim to alleviate the financial burden of childcare and enable parents to balance work and family responsibilities more effectively. However, it is essential to stay updated with the latest information and eligibility criteria as childcare funding policies may change over time.
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Two-year-olds who live in Wirral may be eligible for 15 hours free childcare per week, which adds up to 570 hours per year.
Currently families in receipt of some form of additional government support may be eligible for 15 hours of funding. To see the qualifying criteria and apply please Visit wirral.gov to apply
Applications can be completed by the parent or carer of the child or a professional working with the family. Reasons for eligibility include SEND, economic and through social care.
From April 2024 working families who earn at least £167 per week may also be eligible for 15 hours of funding. To see the qualifying criteria and apply please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
The funding can be used in a day nursery, a pre-school, or with a childminder rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’, (Parents accessing the new working parents entitlement can use their funding in a setting rated ‘Requires Improvement’ or above). Children become eligible the term after
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You can access the free entitlement at a nursery in a Wirral school or a nursery school, certain childminders, pre-school/playgroups, day nurseries or an independent school.
For information on registered childcare providers and availability in your area call 0800 0858 743. You should contact the provider of your choice as soon as possible in case they have a waiting list for places.
Universal
All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to receive 15 hours per week of free universal early years entitlement. Children become eligible the term after their third birthday. Contact your child’s setting to find out if they offer this free entitlement.
Extended
Working families may qualify for the extended offer of 30 hours and will need to apply via gov.uk.
More information on both Universal and Extended funding is available at childcarechoices.gov.uk
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Early Years Providers can apply for additional funding to support the inclusion of children with additional needs in early education and childcare.
This fund is intended to support children in receipt of 2, 3 or 4-year-old funding to access their free entitlement. The Inclusive Practice Fund can be used to enhance staffing or allow staff to access Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. For more information contact the Early Years Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team on eysend@wirral.gov.uk or call 0151 666 3980.
Applications must be submitted by the provider – just download the application form below and submit to the Early Years SEND team via eysend@wirral.gov.uk or you can arrange collection of the application from your setting by contacting the Early Years Business Administrator via the eysend@wirral.gov.uk inbox.
Downloads
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Children who are under 16 and have difficulty walking or need extra care compared to other children their age may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). To apply for DLA visit gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children.
If you need assistance with the process, visit Citizens Advice.org.uk.
It's important to note that the information provided was accurate at the time of publishing.
Additionally, if a child receives DLA and attends a setting with 3 or 4-year-old funding entitlement, the provider can claim a yearly payment called the Disability Access Fund (DAF)
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Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is extra funding available for all early years providers that offer early years education for 3 and 4 year olds. The extra funding can be used to further improve the quality of education provided for disadvantaged children.
The EYPP provides an extra 53 pence per hour for eligible 3 and 4 years olds. This means an extra £302.10 a year for each eligible child taking up the full 570 hours of funded entitlement for early education.
EYPP is only applied once your child becomes eligible for universal 15 hours childcare (that is, the term after they turn 3).
To Apply Visit wirral.gov.
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The below information was taken from www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare and was correct at the time of publishing.
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.
If you get Tax-Free Childcare, the government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay your childcare provider. This is paid via an online childcare account that you set up for your child.
You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.
You can use it to pay for approved childcare, for example: childminders, nurseries and nannies after school clubs and play schemes home care agencies
Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme before you can pay them and benefit from Tax-Free Childcare. Check with your provider to see if they’re signed up.
To check eligibility, please visit: www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Further Support
Childcare.co.uk
Childcare.co.uk helps parents seeking childcare connect with local childcare providers such as babysitters, nannies, registered childminders, nurseries and private tutors. Parents simply choose the type of childcare they are looking for and enter their postcode to see a list of local childcare providers.
Visit Childcare.co.uk for more information
Early Years SEND Team
The Early Years SEND Team provide support to parents and settings for young children aged 0-5 years.
They provide developmental programmes of learning both in the settings and at home. (Portage interventions).
They also provide quality assurance, advice and support for children in the settings and monitor their developmental progress.
If your child is before school age and you are worried that your child might have Additional Needs or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), there are people that can help.
The Early Years SEND team can offer advice and support for children at home and in settings. There are also streams of funding available to support your child within an Early Years setting.