Early Education and Childcare

Stockton-on-Tees Families Information Service is a free and impartial service which provides advice and guidance on the range of early education and childcare options across the Borough. It includes information on funded childcare and childcare benefits available to working parents and parents on certain government benefits.

Contact the Families Information Service:

phone: 01642 527225
email: fis@stockton.gov.uk

If you are applying for the new funded childcare for working parents of children aged from 9 months to 2 years old visit GOV.UK - Apply for free childcare if you're working.

You can use our Citizen Portal to check eligibility and apply for free childcare for 2 year olds if you receive some additional forms of government support, or if your child is a child in care or need, has an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or receives Disability Living Allowance.

Access the Citizen Portal

For more information on childcare and help towards the cost of childcare use the following resources.

Expansion to Funded Childcare

The government is extending childcare to support working parents returning to work after their parental leave ends.

Free nursery entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to a free nursery place of up to 15 hours per week. Find out when your child qualifies and where you can access a free place.

30 hours free childcare

Working parents of children aged 3 and 4 years old could be entitled for up to 30 hours free childcare a week. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply.

Free childcare for 2 year olds

Find out if your child is entitled to a free childcare place for 15 hours a week during school term time and how to apply.

Tax-Free Childcare

Designed to help working parents with their childcare costs, the scheme allows parents to open an online bank account to pay registered childcare providers directly. For every £8 parents pay into these accounts, the government will add £2.

Disability Access Fund

The Disability Access Fund supports disabled children's access to the entitlements for 3 and 4 year olds. Providers receive £615 per eligible child per year.

Early Years Pupil Premium

Your chosen school, nursery or childminder may be able to claim additional funding, through the Early Years Pupil Premium, to support your child's development, learning and care if you are accessing the free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds and meet certain criteria.

Ofsted

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. They report directly to Parliament and they are independent and impartial. Ofsted inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

Stockton Families Information Service

View a list of Ofsted registered childcare in Stockton.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

We have a duty to produce a report on childcare available in the area on a yearly basis, view the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for further information.

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Early Education and Childcare