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Choosing early learning and childcare outside the home, that’s right for your child, is an important decision to make. There’s a huge amount of choice out there, from nurseries to playgroups to childminders. Most childcare providers must be registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) but there are some types of childcare that do not need to be registered.
You can search for childcare in St Helens using our online directory.
St Helens Council provides nursery education in many parts of the borough through Maintained Nurseries. They normally offer places for 3 & 4 year olds, and some also offer 2 year old places. Admissions to Maintained Nurseries are co-ordinated by the Local Authority. You can find out more information on how to apply for a place at School Admissions.
Maintained Nursery opening times tend to coincide with the school opening times - 9am to 3pm on weekdays. Maintained Nurseries normally offer the 15 hours of funded early education over 5 days per week (either mornings or afternoons). Some maintained nurseries also offer wrap around provision to provide care all day for a fee.
Day Nurseries offer care for children between birth and school age on a full or part time basis. Most Day Nurseries are open all year round, usually from 8.00am until 6.00pm.
The answer to this is "Yes", if you: