Free and flexible early learning and childcare - Information for parents

Three and four year olds in Luton can benefit from an entitlement to 15 hours of free early learning and childcare as part of the government’s strategy to ensure every child gets the best start in life.

This means that from the term after your child becomes three your current free early learning and childcare entitlement to 15 hours each week.

We offer all families with three and four year olds, who access early learning and childcare providers in Luton, the choice of more hours, at a provider of their choice, for a minimum of 38 weeks each year. This will help parents to better balance their work and family life.

It’s free, it’s flexible and you have a choice!

Free
Families accessing early learning and childcare providers in Luton can have up to 15 hours of early education and childcare at no cost whatsoever.

Flexible
The 15 hours can be taken when you want and how you want, subject to availability. You can spread it over five, four or even three days. You can even split your 15 hours entitlement between two providers if you need to. And for some providers you can pay for extra childcare over and above the free 15 hours, if you need it.

Choice
It’s up to you where you use your child’s free entitlement. In Luton the types of providers are:

• Children’s Centres
• Full Day Care Nurseries
• Pre-Schools
• Childminders who are part of an accredited
  Childminder Network
• Local Authority Nursery Schools
• Nursery Units within an Infant or Primary School
• Independent Schools

So what are you waiting for!

Luton Borough Council aims to have a variety of childcare provisions in all areas of the town so that families have more choice about which providers they use. We want you to have a selection of quality, flexible options to choose from. This means greater choice in enabling you to balance your work, family needs and childcare options.

So if your child is already attending one of Luton’s childcare providers, arrange to talk to them. They will be able to tell you what they are going to offer and what you need to do. If your child has not yet started any provision, you can find out about local providers and what they are offering from the Children and Families Information Service on 01582 54 88 88 or email cfis@luton.gov.uk.

Contact for more information:

Pre-school Learning Alliance:
Tel: 01525 71 52 55

National Childminding Association:
Tel: 0845 880 00 44

School Admissions:
Tel: 01582 54 80 16

Special Educational Needs Support Team
For Under 5’s
Tel: 01582 54 81 05

Luton’s Parent Partnership Service:
Tel: 01525 71 97 54 or 01582 54 81 56

Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit helpline:
Tel: 0845 300 39 00

You can also make enquires about
tax credits by going online:
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits