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Choosing childcare and early education

Pre-school child on a swing

When choosing childcare and an early education setting consider your family situation and main reason for needing childcare including:

  • Your child's age 
  • Sibling's schooling arrangements (location, finish times)
  • Your family's jobs/study (flexibility, location and travel times)
  • Any support you have from family and friends
  • Your financial situation (remember you may be able to get help with childcare costs)

A combination of childcare may suit you best (using a childminder and a private day nursery or preschool playgroup).

All 3 and 4 year old children in the Rochdale Borough (Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Pennines) are eligible for 15 hours per week (term time only) of free early education from the term after their third birthday.

Age of child

Reason for childcare

Options

0 – 2 years

Working full or part-time
Studying
Break for parent
Stimulation for child

0 – 2 years

Shift working
Evening or weekend working

2 – 3 years

As above

3 – 5 years

Free early education
(All children are entitled to 15 hours per week term time only)

5 and over

Out of school care
Holiday care