Childcare and schools
Tax Free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year). You can use it to pay for approved childcare for example: childminders, nurseries and nannies, after school clubs and play schemes. Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme before you can pay them and benefit from Tax-Free Childcare. Check to see if you are eligible and apply on the Gov.uk Tax-Free Childcare webpage
Childcare for children under four years of age is not usually available free of charge in the UK. The range and cost of childcare varies considerably, but it is generally expensive. You should expect to pay at least £35 per day per child for childcare.
There are a number of options available for childcare for children under the age of four years of age including Day Nurseries, Childminders, Nursery Schools and Playgroups.
Day Nurseries
Nurseries accept pre-school children from as young as three months but the exact age will vary at each nursery. There are a wide range of nurseries available in Huddersfield and you should find one that meets your needs and requirements. You should not assume you will be able to obtain a place immediately; your child/children will probably have to be placed on a waiting list.
A list of local day nurseries can be found on the Day Nurseries website.
Childminders
There are a number of registered Childminders in the Huddersfield area (childminders are people who look after children in their homes in return for payment).
A list of local childminders can be found be on the Childcare.co.uk website.
Nursery Schools
Some primary schools in Huddersfield have a nursery class which children attend on a part-time basis (morning or afternoon) from the age of three. There is no charge for this but there is usually a waiting list for places.
Playgroups
There are also playgroups which children over two and a half years old can attend on a part-time basis.
Primary Schools
Children in the UK begin school in the September after their fourth birthday.
Primary Schools cater for pupils from 4 years to 11 years, they can be split into Infant School for 4-7 year olds and Junior Schools for 7-11 year olds. Usually children go straight from primary school to secondary/high school at age 11.
Secondary Schools
At 11 years old pupils attend secondary schools until they are at least 16 years old. In their final year at secondary school children take their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams.
The earliest they can leave is at the age of 16 but they must do one of the following until they are 18:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
If your employment will keep you in the UK for a period of twelve months or more, then they are required by law to attend school.
The Local Education Authority will provide a place, free of charge, for them in a school near your place of residence. Lists of schools can be obtained from Huddersfield Council's Education Department. There are also private schools in Huddersfield for which you pay fees.
For all information relating to schools, please visit the Kirklees Council website
Ofsted
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Child Services and Skills) is an independent regulator for the British Government. It inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. They produce a report on all facilities that they inspect, which is available to view on the Ofsted website.
School Applications
The Government's Department for Education webpage provides guidance on school applications from overseas children.