Choosing childcare
Choosing the right childcare is probably one of the most important choices that a parent will need to make.
Every parent wishes to find quality and affordable childcare
that will meet the needs of both work and family life. The
following information will help you to make an informed
decision.
The family support team can help you find the right childcare
for your family. Just contact us and explain your criteria and
we will find all the relevant childcare in your chosen
area. We have negotiated discounts with many childcare
providers and 'out of school' clubs across Essex; however should
you choose one that does not offer an NHS discount, please let us
know and we will contact them to try and negotiate one for you.
We can also help you save money on childcare costs. Please see
our Childcare Voucher page.
Different types of childcare
Southend on Sea Borough Council
Childcare page
For more information please contact Amanda Wilkinson, HR Welfare Support
Officer.
Free childcare places for 3 and 4 year olds.
15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year for
all 3 and 4 year olds.
Free early education places are available at a range of early
years settings including nursery schools and classes, children's
centres, day nurseries, play groups and pre-schools and
childminders. Ladybird Nursery is one of these early years
settings. For more information please contact the nursery
by email: ladybird.nursery@southend.nhs.uk.
Care to Learn
If you are a parent and have started or are due to start a
course whilst you're under 20, you can have help to pay for your
childcare and related travel costs while you're learning through
Care to Learn.
To find out more about Care to Learn please visit
the Care to Learn pages on
direct gov, or if you'd like some help with your application
you can call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121
8989.
If you are under 16 you should contact your school or the
Connexions Service at Connexions or call 080 800 13219.
If you started your learning after you reached 19 you should
contact your local college.
Schools & childcare
services
Information about schools and services in the area is
available through the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council website,
which is an external sites.
Southend Borough
Council
The above link provides a searchable list of schools in the
Southend area, including contact and website details where
available. For more information please contact
Amanda Wilkinson, HR Welfare Support Officer.