Early education and childcare

Early education

All children, including children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can get early education funding from the term after their third birthday until they start school. You can use this for up to 15 hours a week in term time.

Some children may be able to get early years funding from the term after they are 9 months old. Check the Best Start in Life website to see if your child is eligible.

• Entitlement to early education funding.
• Disability access funding.

Childcare

Registered childcare for children aged 0 to 18 is usually paid for by parents. Support may be available through:

• wraparound care, including breakfast and after-school clubs.
• help with childcare costs.
• 30 hours free childcare.
• funded childcare and early education for two-year-olds.
• free education for two-year-olds.

You can find a list of early education and childcare providers in the Family Information Directory. Further information is available through:

• Family support services.
• Preparing for the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Early years education funding: a parent guide.

Ofsted reports

View the latest Ofsted reports for each childcare provider.

Support for children with SEND

If your child has SEND, they may be able to get Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

If your child is two and gets DLA, they will automatically qualify for 570 hours of funded childcare. You can use this with an Ofsted-registered childcare provider of your choice.

You can get help with a DLA application from Citizens Advice Swindon.

You can also email the early years brokerage team for help with your two-year funding application or to find a childcare place: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk.

Swindon Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

The Swindon Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is updated each year. It includes information about:

• childcare during school holidays
• the quality of early years and childcare
• childcare sufficiency in each ward

Swindon Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025 (PDF).

Contact

Early Years and Childcare Services
Swindon Borough Council
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

Email: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk.

Useful links

• Swindon SEND information, advice and support service (SIAS), previously known as SENDIASS.